Calls for Change Grow Louder After Derby Defeat
Manchester United’s stuttering start to the Premier League season reached a boiling point after a humbling 3-0 loss to Manchester City in the derby. The defeat, which leaves the Red Devils languishing in 14th place with just four points from their opening four games, has intensified scrutiny on manager Ruben Amorim.
The echoes of last season’s disappointment—where United finished 15th under Amorim and missed out on European competition—are growing louder, and some prominent voices in football media are urging the club to act before the situation worsens.
O’Hara: “Get Ole Back Before It’s Too Late”
Jamie O’Hara, speaking to talkSPORT, didn’t mince words when discussing the current state of affairs at Old Trafford. The former Tottenham midfielder believes United should cut their losses with Amorim and reappoint former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who recently became available after leaving Besiktas in August.
“I can’t believe Ruben Amorim is still in charge,” said O’Hara. “They’ve got to do what Sheffield United did—admit they made a mistake. Get Ole back in. They can’t carry on like this, or they’ll be playing Rotherham next season.”
O’Hara had previously floated the idea of Solskjaer returning in an interim role, arguing that the Norwegian could help stabilize the dressing room and reconnect with the players. “He can come in, be a stopgap, and give them a bit of freedom again. It might just be what they need to calm things down,” he added.
Neville Warns: October Will Be Pivotal for Amorim
Sky Sports pundit and former United captain Gary Neville also weighed in after the Manchester Derby defeat, warning that Amorim’s position will become untenable if the team remains in the bottom half come October.
“There’s got to be a turnaround pretty quickly,” said Neville. “You can’t be sitting 14th or 15th in October after spending £200 million and giving a manager a full pre-season.”
Neville emphasized the lack of intensity and belief in United’s display against City, noting, “This has been a nothing performance. If they lose to Chelsea next week, the pressure will really mount.”
United Board Reportedly Not Panicking—Yet
Despite the backlash, reports suggest that the Manchester United board is not currently considering Amorim’s position under immediate threat. However, failure to challenge for European places could shift that stance quickly.
The club’s next few fixtures could be make-or-break for the Portuguese tactician, especially with fans and pundits growing restless and former coaches like Solskjaer waiting in the wings.
