Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim retains the backing of the club’s hierarchy despite Saturday’s 3–1 defeat at Brentford, with reports indicating he will be given the remainder of the season to prove himself.
The Portuguese coach, who took charge in November last year, has now overseen 49 matches but continues to struggle for consistency. The loss at the Gtech Community Stadium came just a week after United’s morale-boosting victory over Chelsea, with optimism swiftly replaced by frustration.
Amorim admitted afterwards that his team conceded goals from long-ball situations they had specifically trained to defend against in the build-up to the match. The comments only added to the perception that his tactical instructions are failing to translate on the pitch.
Despite mounting criticism, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who oversees all sporting operations, is said to be “refusing to panic.”
According to the Daily Mail, Ratcliffe remains committed to giving Amorim the season in full, while BBC Sport reports he will only pass judgment once the manager has had what they describe as “the right team” at his disposal.
United backed Amorim in the transfer market during the summer, but results have done little to quell speculation. Rumours have circulated suggesting the club has drawn up a list of potential successors, including former England manager Gareth Southgate and Graham Potter, recently sacked by West Ham United. Both the Mail and BBC strongly deny such claims, insisting the board are not entertaining alternative options.
For now, the message from Old Trafford remains one of patience and continuity. But with performances continuing to fluctuate, Amorim’s challenge of restoring stability and credibility to United’s season appears more daunting by the week.
Word count: 300
