Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend | OneFootball

Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend, featuring Ruben Amorim’s back-breaking rebuild and the Crystal Palace defenders set to be in demand.

Has Ruben Amorim inherited an impossible job?

Before a ball had been kicked this season, there was genuine optimism that new owners and arrivals could take Manchester United back into the top four. Now, the Red Devils are further behind England’s top clubs than at any stage of the Premier League era. Erik ten Hag has gone and his replacement, Ruben Amorim, has struggled to get a tune from a squad unsuited to his methods. United were fortunate to escape defeat at Everton, and it’s now just four wins in 15 league games for the new manager.

Amorim had wanted to remain at Sporting Lisbon until the summer. But a now-or-never stance from Manchester United forced his hand. It has led to some painful viewing. The silver lining of the draw at Everton was an encouraging outing from Patrick Dorgu, Amorim’s sole senior signing. The Portuguese needs more, for what is a complex – and currently alien – system to his squad. The issue, however, is there looks to be a real lack of funds for what is a monumental rebuild at Old Trafford. No amount of controversial cost-cutting by Jim Ratcliffe will turn this into a quick fix.

Rashford renaissance encouraging

Ushered out the door at Manchester United last month was Marcus Rashford, deemed unsuited to the demands of the new head coach. Rashford’s decline in form and application had been problematic, but there have been encouraging signs since a move to the Midlands.

Rashford came off the bench to assist both goals as Aston Villa came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 at Villa Park. It followed another impressive introduction from the bench against Ipswich last weekend. Since signing for Villa, the 27-year-old leads all Premier League players for big chances created (4), and is the joint-leader for successful dribbles (15) and assists (2).

The comeback is on.

Quality gap between top two tiers is a real concern

For the second successive season, it appears all three promoted teams are heading straight back down. Each had winnable-looking home fixtures this weekend and each lost, conceding four goals in the process. Southampton are rooted to the bottom with just nine points and, after 26 games, are yet to eclipse Derby County’s infamous record low of 11 points.

Leicester, meanwhile, have lost 11 of their 15 games since replacing Steve Cooper with Ruud van Nistelrooy. Ipswich, in 18th, have not won a Premier League game in 2025.

Just once before last season had all three promoted teams gone straight back down. This season’s struggles represent a concern about the growing quality gap between the Premier League and Championship. Equally, the top three teams in the Championship have all spent time in the Premier League in the last two seasons. Bolstered by parachute payments upon relegation, it has disrupted the competitiveness of the second tier.

More needs to be done to avoid the Premier League becoming a closed shop.

Guehi will not be the only Palace defender watched closely

Crystal Palace have hung on to the services of Marc Guehi in the last two transfer windows, turning down huge offers from Newcastle and Tottenham. Interest is expected to ramp up again in the England international in the summer, whose contract will have just 12 months to run.

However, Guehi might not be the only Palace defender subject of interest. Daniel Munoz scored a fabulous goal in the win at Fulham and has been an irrepressible force at full-back this season. The Colombian has proven to be an £8m bargain from Genk. He ranks in the top six percent of full-backs in Europe for non-penalty xG, attacking penalty area touches, tackles and aerial duels won per 90.

Elsewhere, Maxence Lacroix has been a huge hit. Some were surprised by Palace’s decision to sell Joachim Andersen last summer, but Lacroix arrived as an £18m replacement. The Frenchman impressed under Oliver Glasner at Wolfsburg and has taken to English football with ease. This weekend, he made 12 clearances at Fulham and won 100% of his defensive duels (7/7).

The good and bad of Jeremy Doku and Trent Alexander-Arnold

One of the defining contests of Manchester City’s clash with Liverpool came down the flanks.

Trent Alexander-Arnold will be glad he does not have to face Jeremy Doku again this season, after struggling to deal with the electricity of the Belgian winger. Alexander-Arnold’s defending has long been a talking point and the ease at which Doku skipped past him was a concern. Doku danced around Alexander-Arnold three times inside the opening five minutes and 11 times in the game – the most a player has been dribbled past by an opponent in a Premier League game since 2016/17.

Doku can be unstoppable with his change of gear from a standing start, but the winger could not turn promising positions into end product. It’s been the story of his time at the Etihad, with refinement required in the final third.

Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, showed just how valuable he can be. His exquisite cutting pass released Mohamed Salah in the build-up to the second goal, while there was another audacious outside-of-the-boot ball to release the Egyptian. His passing range is phenomenal, with Liverpool more than happy to accept his flaws in return.

Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Salah, Mbeumo, Asensio

See more – Premier League Awards: Joao wows, Scarles shines

Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok