Dion Fanning: After summer of hope, Amorim's United still at risk of becoming a zombie club

At Old Trafford today, plenty will be revealed. For Mikel Arteta, this is a season when Arsenal must have a significant triumph. Opinions on how good Arsenal were in losing will have little currency.

NEW FACES: Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha of Manchester United interact with Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and ACF Fiorentina. Pic: Matt McNulty/Getty Images

After last season’s game at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Arsenal, Ruben Amorim decided to reassure his club’s supporters about the future. “Manchester United,” he told them, “will never die.” 

With Amorim, we can never be certain if this was a rallying cry or simply a bald statement of fact, leading on to something miserable. “Manchester United will never die," he will say, before adding, ”but they will lead a pitiful and degenerate existence, abandoned and shunned by their peers.”