ROCKED BOTTOM UNITED

Amorim admits the confidence of his players is shot...and next up is a trip to rivals and runaway leaders Liverpool

- DAVE CRAVEN

RUBEN AMORIM admits the lack of confidence is palpable in his crisis-torn Manchester United players - and there is no easy way out.

After just 38 days - with only seven points taken and nine goals scored in his first eight Premier League games Amorim's tenure as Old Trafford boss is already on the rocks.

Rather than surging to challenge for a Champions League place, they are instead nervously looking over their shoulders, fearing being dragged into an unthinkable relegation battle.

Already dumped out of the Carabao Cup, Monday's feeble 2-0 home loss to Newcastle which saw the shambolic Red Devils end the year in 14th spot - was the nadir.

Or at least they hope so. Having witnessed them become the first United team to lose three successive home league games since 1979, it is no surprise confidence is at an all-time low.

Amorim said: "Yes, and you can feel it every single day. That is a bad thing, of course.