Manchester United’s 2-1 win over Chelsea may have offered some relief to under-fire manager Ruben Amorim, but former England international Jamie Redknapp believes the Portuguese tactician’s job is hanging by a thread—saved only by the backing of new football chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Despite the vital three points, Redknapp insists the victory should not be seen as a major shift in the club’s troubling trajectory.
Amorim’s Job Security Under Scrutiny
Ahead of kickoff at Old Trafford, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp delivered a blunt assessment of Amorim’s tenure so far, suggesting the manager’s position could already have been in jeopardy if not for Ratcliffe’s support. “If Jim Ratcliffe hadn’t appointed him, I think he’d be under massive pressure. Might not even be in his job,” Redknapp stated.
Amorim has faced growing criticism after securing just eight wins in his first 31 Premier League matches—a record that has sparked concern among fans and analysts alike. Redknapp’s comments reflect a wider sentiment that the team’s inconsistent performances are not meeting expectations.
Formation Concerns and Tactical Doubts
One of the major talking points heading into the Chelsea clash was Amorim’s persistent use of the 3-4-2-1 formation. Redknapp voiced his doubts over the system’s effectiveness, particularly highlighting a lack of attacking width and pace. He pointed out underwhelming contributions from wide players like Patrick Dorgu and Noussair Mazraoui, and questioned whether Bruno Fernandes is being used to his full potential.
“My biggest worry is lack of pace,” Redknapp said. “They’re not doing enough in those wide areas—no assists, not enough goals.” He also noted that forwards like Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo bring some speed, but emphasized that summer signing Benjamin Sesko still needs time to adapt.
Chelsea Red Card Shapes the Game
United’s victory came after Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sánchez was sent off just five minutes into the match, drastically altering the dynamics of the contest. Although the Red Devils capitalized on their numerical advantage, Redknapp was hesitant to draw any long-term conclusions from the result.
“It’s hard to say if we learned anything new about Manchester United today,” he said. “Going up 2-0 against ten men early on puts you in a strong position, but that doesn’t necessarily signal a turnaround.”
A Win With Asterisks
Despite giving credit to United’s late-game resilience and determination to see out the win, Redknapp cautioned fans against reading too much into the performance. He pointed out Chelsea’s tactical missteps, including questionable substitutions and the injury to Cole Palmer, as factors that worked in United’s favor.
“Yes, it was a really important three points,” Redknapp admitted. “But calling it a turning point? No. The match was far too unusual to suggest that United have turned a corner.”
While Manchester United secured a much-needed win, questions continue to surround Ruben Amorim’s long-term viability at Old Trafford. Backed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe but burdened by inconsistency, Amorim may need more than a fortunate win against a 10-man Chelsea side to convince critics that real progress is being made.
