Ruben Amorim will feel a lot relaxed after Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday, but his situation at the club remains fragile. The Portuguese head coach arrived at the Theatre of Dreams last November as Erik ten Hag’s replacement, but has struggled to live up to expectations.
The Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League last season, scoring just 44 goals in 38 league games while losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
INEOS, though, opted to keep their trust in Amorim, who had worked wonders with Sporting CP in his four-year stay at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
The Premier League giants invested heavily in the squad over the summer, signing Premier League proven attackers in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Benjamin Sesko was brought in for a big fee from RB Leipzig, while Senne Lammens arrived from Royal Antwerp on deadline day.
The results, sadly, have failed to improve.
United have struggled this season
United have shown improvements in their performances this season, but have struggled for consistency. The win against Sunderland was their third from eight games in all competitions this campaign.
With the team already out of the EFL Cup, Amorim remains under pressure at Old Trafford, and speculation is ripe regarding his future.
Recent reports have named Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola, and former England manager Gareth Southgate as options for the job.
Acclaimed journalist David Ornstein has now provided an update on the Portuguese head coach’s future.
INEOS want Amorim to succeed
Speaking on NBC Sports Soccer ahead of Saturday’s game, Ornstein stated that United are not planning to sack Amorim at the moment.
“Ruben Amorim is under major pressure, but I think most of that pressure is applied on him by himself, as well as the burden of being Manchester United manager,” said Ornstein.
“But Manchester United themselves, as I understand it, they’re not planning to sack him. They don’t want or intend to, and I don’t think he’s planning to walk away from this last season.
“I think he is really feeling the strain. And people I speak to says he was questioning whether he could succeed there. But I do think, sort of incrementally, they feel there is a bit of improvement there, however small so far this season, especially with some of the new signings.
“And it is still very early, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe, as minority owner, but with sporting control, is at the heart of this. He’s heavily involved [in wanting him to succeed].”
Ornstein went on to add that Southgate is not in the running to replace Amorim at the Theatre of Dreams. He said: “People have talked about shortlists. I don’t know of there being a shortlist to replace him.”
“Of course, Man Utd will always be looking at options like every club and aware of the markets, whether it be on an interim basis, longer term, or even after the World Cup in the summer of 2026, but I’m assured that Gareth Southgate is not in the frame for the Manchester United job should it become available.”
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Deepungsu Pandit
Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
