Manchester United are repeatedly suffering from a problem that Ruben Amorim is failing to fix

Manchester United are 15 games into the Ruben Amorim era and their long-term crisis is worsening.

Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford saw the United head coach channel his inner Ralf Rangnick and describe his team as possibly the worst in the club's 147-year history.

United had just suffered a fourth defeat in their last six Premier League matches and a fourth reverse in their last five Old Trafford outings. Such terrible form has left them sitting 13th in the table, 10 points above the relegation zone and 12 shy of the Champions League places.

Mathematically, either Champions League qualification or relegation is still possible. In reality, the expectation is that United's season, based on their current form, will fizzle out and end in a mid-table finish.

Amorim arrived in Manchester in November tasked with trying to kick-start United's season. However, a complete transformation in style of play always meant that it carried its fair share of risks, particularly when the club's hierarchy had spent a small fortune during the summer recruiting players for a different style and system under Erik ten Hag.

Amorim acknowledged early on in his tenure that United would have to "suffer" as they adapted to his methods. He made the same admission again after Sunday's defeat to Brighton.

It is no secret that United's squad needs gutting and rebuilding this summer. Countless players need moving on and replacing with figures suitable for Amorim's 3-4-2-1 formation.

Nevertheless, regardless of how much time Amorim needs to build his ideal team to work hand-in-hand with his blueprint, United must improve - and fast. However, that collective craving will not be possible until United sort out their defensive