Ruben Amorim, the embattled head coach of Manchester United, remains resolute in the face of mounting speculation about his future at Old Trafford. The Portuguese tactician, who took the reins from Erik ten Hag in November, has endured a tumultuous start to his tenure, with the Red Devils languishing in 15th place in the Premier League table.
Amorim’s appointment was initially hailed as a coup for United, given his impressive track record at Sporting CP. The 40-year-old had ended Sporting’s 19-year Primeira Liga title drought in 2020/21, clinched another title in 2023/24, and had the Lisbon giants on course for a third before his departure. However, the transition to the Premier League has proven to be a stern test for the young manager.
A Clash of Philosophies
The crux of United’s struggles appears to lie in the stark contrast between Amorim’s tactical approach and the playing style ingrained under previous regimes. The Portuguese coach has steadfastly adhered to his principles, implementing a system that demands significant adaptation from a squad assembled by his predecessors.
Amorim’s unwavering commitment to his footballing philosophy has led to what he terms “short-term pain for long-term gain”. This approach, while potentially beneficial in the future, has yielded immediate challenges. The lack of a summer transfer window or pre-season to mould the squad to his liking has exacerbated these difficulties.
A Season of Struggle
The statistics paint a grim picture of United’s performance under Amorim. Sunday’s defeat to Tottenham Hotspur marked the team’s ninth loss in 21 games across all competitions. In the Premier League, the Red Devils have managed just four wins in 14 outings, with a particularly dismal run in December seeing them lose five league games in a single month.
Despite these setbacks, Amorim remains defiant. Following the Spurs clash, he stated:
“I am not worried. I understand our fans, what the media think about it. I hate to lose, that feeling is the worst. The rest I am not thinking about. I understand my situation, my job, I am confident in my work and I just want to win games.”
Historical Low
United’s current league position is a source of significant concern for supporters and the club hierarchy alike. The team’s 15th place standing harks back to darker days in the club’s history. Not since their relegation from the top flight in 1974 have United finished so low in the table. Their previous nadir in the modern era was a 13th-place finish in the 1989/90 season under Sir Alex Ferguson, before the legendary manager’s trophy-laden years began in earnest.
Amorim acknowledges the gravity of the situation, saying:
“The place in the table is my worry, I am not worried about me. I have a lot of problems, my job is so, so hard here. But I stick with my beliefs. We just need to face it and not run away, that is my feeling. Today will hurt, it is a tough pain to lose so many games.”
Looking Ahead
As pressure mounts, Amorim faces a crucial period that could define his tenure at Old Trafford. The upcoming fixture against Everton presents an opportunity for redemption, with United set to face David Moyes’ side at Goodison Park. Interestingly, Amorim’s first victory in English football came against the Toffees in early December, a resounding 4-0 win over Sean Dyche’s then-struggling team.
The match against Everton could prove pivotal for Amorim. A positive result might buy him more time to implement his vision, while another defeat could intensify calls for his dismissal. As the pressure builds, the coming weeks will reveal whether Amorim’s long-term strategy will be given time to bear fruit or if United’s hierarchy will opt for yet another managerial change in their quest for success.
