Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim admitted Bruno Fernandes’ sending off was a huge contributing factor to their 2-0 loss to Wolves on Boxing Day. 

Amorim suffered a fifth defeat in seven games as second half goals from Matheus Cunha and substitute Hwang Hee-Chan maintained Vitor Pereira's winning start. 

United’s job was made a lot harder when Fernandes was given his marching orders after being given a second yellow card for a challenge on Nelson Semedo two minutes after the restart. 

Fernandes is the first United player to be sent off three times in a season in all competitions since Nemanja Vidic in 2008-09 (also three). 

His dismissal came at a time when the game was goalless at Molineux, and Amorim believes that his side were unable to recover from that setback.

"The sending off was really hard for us", Amorim told Amazon Prime.

"It's so tough to win games in this league with 11 men. With 10 men, it's more difficult. We have to focus on that."

United are beaten at Molineux.#MUFC || #WOLMUN

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 26, 2024

United have lost four of their last five games in the Premier League, as many defeats as in their previous 15 matches in the competition (W7 D4).

Indeed, only Everton and Southampton (both nine) have failed to score in more different games this season than their seven.

Amorim is the first United boss to lose as many as five of his first 10 games in charge of the club in all competitions since Walter Crickmer in January 1932 (six out of 10).

The Red Devils manager believed his side had enough control of the match, but failed to trouble Jose Sa at the other end. 

"I think we were always in control of the game, not always dominating, but in control of some things," Amorim said. 

"We have to improve the relationships, but we have some moments. We lack a little bit of aggression, but we don't train."

Amorim also hinted that there had been no change with Marcus Rashford since he was exiled from the matchday squad, with the forward having missed the last four matches.

"It's always the same reason it's going to be. We have to be the same professionals, the same guys, winning or losing. Losing, I have to be stronger," Amorim said. 

"I will continue with my idea until the end."

When asked whether he had shown anything different since leaving him out, he replied: "If he's not here, you can make your mind up."