Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford has become a battleground.
His side fell to Tottenham 1-0 on Sunday, a result that exposed deep-rooted issues at Manchester United. The defeat has intensified scrutiny on the Portuguese coach.
At 40 years old, Amorim arrived from Sporting Lisbon in November. He has lost nine of his first 21 games. His team gained just 14 points in 14 Premier League matches and lost five of their last six home league encounters. Even Sir Jim Ratcliffe stands by him, yet pressure mounts.
The Red Devils now sit 15th in the table. They trail the top four by 15 points and sit only 12 points above the relegation zone. The club faces a harsh reality if results do not improve soon.
Even club legends have shifted their tone. Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane, and Gary Neville once welcomed Amorim’s appointment with high praise. Their initial optimism has now turned sharply critical as frustrations ripple through the squad.
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Ferdinand once lauded United’s executives and Amorim’s charisma, even comparing him favorably to Erik ten Hag. Today, he warns that the club faces relegation battles if current trends continue. His early excitement has given way to grave concern over United’s future.
Roy Keane never minced his words. He declared that United face the biggest challenge under Amorim and blasted the team’s lack of energy and accountability. Keane lambasted their performance during a narrow 2-1 FA Cup win over Leicester, emphasizing that the lack of passion is unacceptable.
Paul Scholes initially hailed Amorim’s appointment as a real coup. However, his excitement has faded amid tactical confusion. He questioned the decision to play Patrick Dorgu—signed for £25m from Leece—at right wing-back on his debut, noting that United still lack a proper left wing-back.
Gary Neville has been equally vocal. He lambasted United’s midfield setup and criticized the distance between Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro. Neville described the tactics as breaking all the rules of football and warned that it might take two to three transfer windows to reshape the squad into a competitive 3-4-3. Although none of the legends have demanded Amorim’s exit, their warnings echo loudly.