Ruben Amorim in danger of talking himself out of Manchester United job

Telegraph

12-05-2025

We cannot, almost in the same breath, criticise Mikel Arteta for his deluded claim Arsenal were the best team in the Champions League and castigate Ruben Amorim for the more accurate assessment this Manchester United side are the club's worst in Premier League history.
What is so remarkable about Amorim's statement, though, is that it has become a self-fulfilling prophecy that has hurt United. And, potentially, him.
After the appalling defeat on Sunday at home to West Ham United, Amorim conceded he should step aside if the poor league form is carried into next season, which means he is already in dangerous territory given how prescient a pundit he appears to be.
It is highly unusual for a manager not only to be so frank about his beliefs but, even more so, to suggest he is prepared to quit. With football, as with politics, no one resigns these days.
Of course if United continue to play as badly, the decision will be taken out of Amorim's hands. No matter what are the club's deep-rooted, systemic problems or the young Portuguese's potential as a coach. They cannot carry on like this.
This United team are poor and in another season they might have been relegated. There needs to be a change of culture, even if they win the Europa League.
In a sense there is nothing new in this. Three years ago interim manager Ralf Rangnick said United needed 'open-heart surgery'. He was ushered out. Louis van Gaal threw himself to the floor in frustration; Jose Mourinho talked about 'history' and 'respect' and David Moyes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer aged within a few months.
It has all unfolded through the prism of the Glazers' toxic ownership – Monday is the 20th anniversary of the takeover – and Sir Jim Ratcliffe's cost-cutting and own bleak prophecies. Amorim is not alone in catastrophising and so he talks about the job being akin to clearing out the Augean Stables.
Given that we often witness so many managers using diversion tactics, sugar-coating it, hammering match officials, claiming night is day and day is night and the world is against them, Amorim's approach has been refreshing. To a degree.
But there is another truth: he has talked a far better game than United have played. He is far more entertaining than they are. Despite reaching the Europa League final, he has actually made them worse. At least in the short term.
When Amorim arrived last November, a win in his first game away to Ipswich Town would have put United five points off second place. With United in 16th and on only 39 points, that already feels like a lifetime ago.
The question for United – and Amorim – is whether his honesty has become counter-productive. Whether that candour has further damaged the fragile confidence of the players, especially as he tries to implement a system to which most are unsuited and, evidently, are struggling with.
Amorim does not hide but it looks like some of the United players are doing just that on the pitch.
He has already also stated he will only play one way and will not compromise on his 3-4-3 formation. But why? Having principles and a 'philosophy' is all well and good, but surely any coach worth his salt will adapt and flex in the real world until he can get what he wants. Even Pep Guardiola is not that dogmatic and it does not mean the players will lack belief.
It also does not help Amorim that Oliver Glasner, with far fewer resources at Crystal Palace, whom he has led to the FA Cup final and who play far more entertaining football, has implemented the same system more effectively.
Amorim needs his own squad. There was no point hiring him, knowing how rigid his approach is, if United are not going to provide that. How easily they can do it is hugely open to question given the financial constraints and the need to move on so many underperforming players.
And there is the rub for United. Here is a squad being constantly told how bad they are, with a manager who clearly does not rate or want many of them.
Amorim does not call out individuals, he is quick to take his share of the blame, he is always courteous and does not have the viciousness of his compatriot Jose Mourinho. But that criticism is strong and relentless. And, yes, maybe self-fulfilling.
Perhaps Amorim is working on that old saying: it is always darkest before the dawn. Maybe he believes United almost need to hit rock bottom before they can bounce back.
That may well be the case. He has said it how it is and not held back and we should applaud that. But for United, rather like their spiralling, dreadful form, it has been relentless. What Amorim must ask himself is whether he has – inadvertently – contributed to that. Maybe that is why he put it out there that he might walk.
Amorim has made it plain just how bad he feels United are. But words can be damaging. It is not just sticks and stones that cause breakages.