Ruben Amorim is facing intense scrutiny at Manchester United after a rocky start to the season, but the Portuguese manager isn’t backing down. Ahead of United’s clash with newly-promoted Sunderland, Amorim addressed swirling doubts over his tactics and job security with defiance, reaffirming his commitment to the club despite increasing pressure from fans and the media.
Amorim Holds Firm: “I’m Not Walking Away”
Amorim was visibly frustrated during his pre-match press conference, where questions about his future dominated the discussion. Despite a disappointing 3–1 defeat to Brentford last weekend and growing concerns about his rigid 3-4-2-1 formation, the former Sporting CP boss made it clear he won’t quit.
“When you stop winning games, that’s what hurts,” Amorim said. “Not the fear of being fired. I’ve had that feeling in the third division at Casa Pia—it’s the same. Losing is what gets to me, not losing the job.”
He emphasized that walking away isn’t an option, not because of pride or pressure, but because of his belief in the project. “This is my dream job. I want to stay and fight for this. But if I leave without giving everything, it would haunt me.”
Stubborn Tactics or System Misunderstood?
Critics have pointed fingers at Amorim’s tactical rigidity, blaming the system for United’s poor performances. But the manager strongly disagrees.
“I get frustrated when people say our problem is the system,” he said. “That’s not the issue. The problem is consistency, intensity, and focus. The fundamentals of football. If we get those right, the formation doesn’t matter.”
Amorim stressed that the team must stick to their identity, whether winning or losing. “We can’t panic and switch styles every week. The players need to trust the process.”
Mixed Messages on Job Security
Despite external noise, Amorim insists he’s not worried about being sacked. However, behind the scenes, the situation appears more complex. Reports suggest Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who holds significant sway over football operations, is leaning toward keeping Amorim at least until the end of the season. The rationale? Amorim is overseeing a long-term squad rebuild, having already offloaded big names like André Onana, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho during the summer.
Yet, The Telegraph paints a more precarious picture. According to their sources, Amorim’s future could hinge on Saturday’s result against Sunderland. With a tough fixture against Liverpool looming after the international break, patience may be running thin at board level.
Decision Time Looms for United’s Hierarchy
The final decision may not rest solely with Ratcliffe. Club executives Omar Berrada (CEO) and Jason Wilcox (director of football), along with part-owner Joel Glazer, are all said to be involved in assessing Amorim’s position. While the board understands the need for long-term planning, poor short-term results are hard to ignore at a club of United’s stature.
As pressure builds, the coming weeks could define Amorim’s tenure. A convincing win over Sunderland might buy him time. Anything less could trigger sweeping changes.
