EPL Review: Can Amorim, Guardiola fix ailing Manchester clubs?

Following every weekend of Premier League action, theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points to emerge from the slate of matches. Below, we dissect Matchweek 12 of the 2024-25 season.

First impressions of Amorim 🤔

Ruben Amorim doesn't have any illusions. This is going to take some time.

The Portuguese manager's first match in charge of Manchester United, a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town on Sunday, was a mixed bag. Amorim immediately put his stamp on the team by rolling with his preferred 3-4-3 formation, the first time the Red Devils have played with a back-three in the Premier League since 2022 when Ralf Rangnick was on the touchline.

Amad Diallo, starting in an unfamiliar right wing-back position, set up a goal for Marcus Rashford 80 seconds into the contest; the Englishman got the nod in the No. 9 role. Ipswich were the better team after that, though, and it became increasingly clear that Amorim was dealing with square pegs in round holes at various positions; Noussair Mazraoui, arguably the most versatile player in the side, lined up at right center-back.

Some of this is simply a matter of getting players back from injury - Lisandro Martinez missed the match - and becoming more comfortable and acquainted with his squad after working together each day. It's not the answer frustrated Manchester United fans want to hear, but there's no substitute for time spent on the training ground.

Amorim himself needs to be patient. He didn't drop a single point in the league this season with Sporting CP before departing for Manchester. There's no quick fix with his new team, and, judging by his reaction after Sunday's draw, he knows it.

Quick free-kicks 📝

Diagnosing Man City's tailspin

It's not just Rodri. Manchester City's five-match losing streak, the worst of Pep Guardiola's managerial career, is the result of a perfect storm. The Ballon d'Or winner's absence is the most glaring issue, but Saturday's 4-0 shellacking at the hands of a mercurial Tottenham Hotspur side - City's heaviest home loss since 2003 - highlighted several other problems. The team suddenly looks old and slow, especially in midfield; the internal decline has been painful. By Guardiola's own admission, City are "fragile" defensively right now. They've conceded 14 goals during their skid, and are giving away huge chances from open play seemingly every time the opposition comes forward. Complacency can't be ruled out, either. Nearly all of these players have already won everything, and the squad hasn't been sufficiently refreshed - they've hit on their "main" summer signing for several years, but much of their business has been questionable at best. Fixing all this is no simple task.

What's wrong with Aston Villa?

Unai Emery is facing his first sustained period of difficulty since joining Aston Villa. The club is winless in its last six matches across all competitions following Saturday's 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace. Similar to Man City, there are multiple issues at play. Villa haven't kept a clean sheet in over a month and consistently give up high-quality chances. Douglas Luiz's absence after his summer transfer is looming larger of late - Villa is unable to control games in midfield in the same way without the Brazilian. Emery also needs to get more out of Leon Bailey, who only has two assists this season and is carrying more of the creative burden from wide areas with Moussa Diaby no longer at the club. Emery has more than earned the trust to get things back on track, but goodwill doesn't last forever in this sport, no matter who you are or what you've done.

Authors of their own demise

What Russell Martin is trying to do at Southampton is admirable. His distinct style includes playing the ball out from the back, and his team is dedicated to implementing it. But you also need to be smart and pick your spots. Southampton shot themselves in the foot Sunday against Liverpool, gifting the Reds an easy goal with some ill-advised passing inside their own penalty area. The Saints, last in the Premier League, have committed more errors leading to goals than any team this season. Liverpool, meanwhile, are one of the best sides at generating chances off high turnovers. You shouldn't abandon your identity, but subtle tweaks based on the opposition can make all the difference. Southampton paid for their reluctance to do that in their 3-2 defeat - and eventually came away with their 10th loss in 12 league games.

Salah's contract situation

Liverpool have a seismic decision to make with Mohamed Salah's contract set to expire at the end of the season. Conventional wisdom would advise against giving a hefty long-term deal to a 32-year-old. But Salah, who scored twice in Sunday's win over Southampton and now has 16 goal involvements in just 12 league games, is obviously a unique case. The Egyptian superstar isn't slowing down - he's been involved in 67% of the Reds' tallies, powering them to an eight-point lead atop the table. That kind of production can't be easily replaced in the transfer market if Salah walks. He's earned the right to demand what will likely be the last massive contract of his career. Liverpool probably won't be able to get away with offering him any type of bridge deal. There are valid arguments to be made on both sides, but, ultimately, when given the option to sign one of the most consistently excellent players in league history or let him go, the former is the clear choice.

Cooper doomed from the start

Steve Cooper never had a chance at Leicester City. His history with Nottingham Forest made him an unpopular choice with the fans right from the jump, and they were never shy about voicing their displeasure with the move. Replacing Enzo Maresca, who guided the Foxes back to the Premier League in such impressive fashion, was always going to be a difficult task. The timing of Sunday's firing was admittedly odd - why wait until after the international break if a loss to Chelsea was going to be the nail in the coffin - but it became clear in just 12 Premier League matches that Cooper wasn't taking this team anywhere. Leicester need to get their next appointment right, otherwise they'll end up right back in the second tier.

Star performer 🌟

James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspur)

Matheus Cunha, who scored two excellent goals in Wolves' win over Fulham, was a very strong contender after continuing his red-hot run, but we're going with the birthday boy.

James Maddison was the standout performer in the most notable result of the weekend, scoring twice in Tottenham's stunning obliteration of Manchester City. Maddison, who turned 28 on Saturday, celebrated his return to the starting lineup in style after beginning Tottenham's last two league matches on the bench. He also completed 100% of his take-ons, won nine duels, recovered five loose balls, and chipped in with a couple of clearances. He did everything as Tottenham's somewhat bewildering run of success against Pep Guardiola's City continued; Spurs have inflicted nine defeats on the reigning champions since the Spaniard took over, more than any other club.

Maddison is emblematic of his team. At his best, the attacking midfielder can be genuinely unstoppable, creating and scoring goals in equal measure. Like Spurs, though, he can be inconsistent, mixing performances like Saturday's masterpiece with anonymous displays.

Maddison needs to be a primary contributor for Tottenham to kick on from here and not revert back to their maddening inconsistencies.

Best XI 😎

(Courtesy: FotMob)

Highlight of the weekend 🎥

Don't count Arsenal out of the title race just yet. With Martin Odegaard back pulling the strings, Bukayo Saka has more room to operate. The winger's tight control, patience, and increasingly devastating finishing ability were on display for this goal in a reassuring win over Nottingham Forest. He kept waiting, and waiting, and waiting before creating a lane and ripping a shot home.

Stat of the weekend 🔢

Just how bad are things at Manchester City right now? We're dipping into the 1950s for a comparable.

Social media moment 📱

Few things in the sport are more heartwarming than seeing young fans' reactions when they meet the game's big stars. Cole Palmer is already generating those moments.

Where we stand 👀

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