Manchester United’s ongoing struggles under Ruben Amorim have sparked intense scrutiny, but football pundit Alan Shearer believes there’s a deeper reason why the under-fire manager remains in charge — and it all comes down to optics for INEOS.
United’s Alarming Form Continues Under Amorim
The Red Devils’ form under Ruben Amorim has been nothing short of disastrous. Since his appointment, United have won just 19 of their 49 matches in all competitions — a dismal 38% win rate. Most recently, a 3-1 defeat to Brentford left them languishing in 14th place in the Premier League standings.
Brentford’s victory, powered by a brace from Igor Thiago and a late goal from Mathias Jensen, was another damning indictment of United’s tactical disarray. Pressure is now mounting on Amorim, who is widely tipped to be the next Premier League manager to face the axe.
Shearer and Lineker Slam Amorim’s Tactics
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker were brutally honest in their assessment of Amorim’s tactical inflexibility. Lineker noted that United were undone by a simple long ball — a basic strategy that exposed glaring vulnerabilities in their defensive setup.
“They’ve not come to grips with that system,” Lineker remarked. “It’s like everyone knows how United are going to play, because Amorim has made it clear he won’t change — and that makes them predictable and easy to counter.”
Shearer echoed the sentiment, saying: “He was out-schooled by Keith Andrews. That’s the real concern. Brentford had a plan and executed it perfectly. If Amorim won’t adapt, that stubbornness will ultimately cost him.”
INEOS and the Fear of Another Mistake
Despite the mounting pressure and poor performances, Amorim remains at the helm. Shearer believes that decision has more to do with INEOS’s fear of public backlash than footballing merit.
“There have been so many errors under this ownership — from recruitment to stadium issues to the Dan Ashworth saga,” Shearer explained. “Sacking Amorim now would be like admitting they got it wrong again, and that’s a terrible look for INEOS.”
He added that the owners’ reluctance may also be financial. Having reportedly paid a significant fee to bring Amorim in early, cutting ties now would involve another hefty compensation package — something INEOS might be eager to avoid amid broader fan unrest.
Amorim’s Future Hangs by a Thread
While some signs point to players still working hard under Amorim — as evidenced in their scrappy win over Chelsea — United’s general trajectory remains deeply concerning. With no clear improvement and the manager unwilling to adapt, pundits agree that time is running out.
“They’re not improving, and if he won’t change, then this is only heading one way,” Shearer concluded.
