Ruben Amorim, the Portuguese manager recently appointed by Manchester United, has publicly admitted that his position at the helm of the club is “in danger” following a string of disappointing results. Despite taking over from Erik ten Hag with high hopes, the 39-year-old coach’s tenure has been marred by a string of poor performances, leaving the Red Devils in a precarious situation. His side’s Boxing Day defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, a lackluster 2-0 loss, saw United drop to 14th place in the Premier League table. Ruben Amorim’s admission of the threat to his job came after he equaled a record that no manager at Old Trafford would want to break losing five of his first ten matches in charge. This unwanted feat marked a low point in the club’s turbulent season.
A Dismal Start to Ruben Amorim’s Tenure
Ruben Amorim was appointed as Manchester United’s manager in the aftermath of a highly publicized sacking of Erik ten Hag. The decision to bring in the former Sporting CP boss was driven by his impressive track record in Portugal, where he had guided Sporting to a league title and earned widespread acclaim for his tactical acumen and ability to nurture young talent. United’s hierarchy, led by CEO Richard Arnold, believed that Ruben Amorim could be the man to turn around the club’s fortunes after a period of instability.
However, the early signs of Ruben Amorim’s reign have been far from encouraging. The Portuguese coach’s first match in charge saw Manchester United only manage a 1-1 draw away at Ipswich Town’s Portman Road. While the result was not catastrophic, it set the tone for what was to come. Ruben Amorim’s first victory at the club came in a 3-1 win over Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, followed by a narrow 2-1 win over Everton in the Premier League. Despite these victories, Ruben Amorim has struggled to find consistency with his new team.
United’s Boxing Day loss to Wolves was particularly damning. The defeat saw United fail to register a single shot on target in a lackluster performance, and the team’s overall display lacked the intensity and drive expected from a club of United’s stature. The loss left them languishing in 14th place in the league, a far cry from the club’s historical position near the top of the Premier League table.
The Unwanted Record: First Manager in 92 Years to Lose Five of the First Ten Matches
In the aftermath of the defeat, Ruben Amorim found himself sharing an unenviable piece of history with Manchester United’s past managers. With five losses from his first ten games in charge, Ruben Amorim became the first United manager to suffer such a poor start to a managerial tenure since Walter Crickmer in January 1932.
Crickmer, who was not so much a manager in the modern sense but more of a club secretary, oversaw a similar stretch of poor form during his time at the club. His tenure was widely seen as a blip in United’s otherwise successful history, and Ruben Amorim will be hoping that his situation does not spiral into a similar fate. The club’s hierarchy has been patient with Ruben Amorim so far, but the pressure is beginning to mount.
The historical context of Ruben Amorim’s poor start to life at Old Trafford highlights just how badly things have gone wrong for the Red Devils under his watch. Despite the club’s investment in Ruben Amorim, both in terms of the hefty buyout clause to release him from Sporting and the compensation paid to Erik ten Hag, results on the pitch have not reflected this outlay.
The £21.4 million spent on bringing Ruben Amorim to Manchester United, which also included a sizable payout to Ten Hag following his sacking, is now being questioned. Football fans and pundits alike are asking whether the club made the right decision in appointing the 39-year-old. In the world of football, results matter above all else, and if Ruben Amorim cannot turn things around soon, his job could be on the line, regardless of the financial investment in his services.
Ruben Amorim’s Response: Acknowledging the Pressure
Ruben Amorim has been candid about the pressures he faces at Manchester United. Speaking to the media after the defeat to Wolves, he acknowledged the reality of the situation, stating that the nature of his job meant that no manager could afford to become “comfortable” at a club like United. “The manager of Manchester United can never, no matter what, be comfortable,” Ruben Amorim told reporters. “You can argue I have been here one month and I’ve had four training sessions, but we are not winning. That is the reality.”
Ruben Amorim’s words reflect the intense pressure he is under. He knows that in football, especially at a club of Manchester United’s stature, managers are judged by results, and results alone. A poor run of form can quickly lead to job insecurity, and Ruben Amorim is fully aware of this. Despite the short period of time he has had to implement his ideas, the lack of improvement on the pitch has left many questioning his tactical decisions and the cohesion of the team.
The Portuguese manager also addressed the broader dynamics of managing a club like United, stating, “I know that if we don’t win, regardless if they pay the buyout or not, every manager is in danger. I like that because that is the job.” Ruben Amorim’s comments illustrate his acceptance of the ruthless nature of the football world. He appears to understand the stakes involved and the inevitability of his position being scrutinized, particularly if results continue to disappoint.
What’s Next for Ruben Amorim?
Looking ahead, Ruben Amorim faces an uphill battle to win over the Manchester United fanbase and secure his position as manager. The club’s upcoming fixtures will be crucial in determining whether Ruben Amorim can steady the ship or whether his tenure will be brought to a premature end.
United’s next few matches, including key Premier League clashes, will provide a clear indication of whether Ruben Amorim has the tactical nous and leadership qualities required to turn things around. If results do not improve in the coming weeks, the Manchester United board will have difficult decisions to make. While it is clear that Amorim is well-regarded for his tactical knowledge, particularly his ability to develop young players and implement an attractive style of play, the results are simply not coming.
A major issue facing Amorim is the inconsistency of his squad. Players such as Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and new signing Mason Mount have not delivered the performances expected of them, and Amorim must find a way to get the best out of his key men. Additionally, his tactical approach has been questioned, with some critics suggesting that his system may not be the right fit for Manchester United’s current squad.
Ultimately, Amorim’s job is on the line, and only a marked improvement in results can secure his future at the club. If he is unable to turn things around in the near future, United may be forced to look for a replacement, and Amorim could join the long list of managers who failed to meet the high expectations at one of the world’s most famous football clubs.
Ruben Amorim’s position as Manchester United manager is undoubtedly “in danger” after a turbulent start to his tenure. The club’s recent 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day has highlighted the growing concerns surrounding his management. With United languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, Amorim has equaled a record set nearly a century ago, losing five of his first ten matches in charge. While he remains positive about the challenges of managing at a club like United, the reality is that results will need to improve dramatically for him to keep his job. As the pressure mounts, Amorim must find a way to turn around his team’s fortunes and prove that he is the right man to guide Manchester United back to the top.
