Man Utd have not been having a good time lately. The team’s new manager, Ruben Amorim, has not done well since taking over. While they have the chance to play in the UEFA Cup final and qualify for next season’s Champions League if they win, this doesn’t exactly hide the problems with his performance in the Premier League.
Most recently, Man Utd lost 2-0 at home to West Ham United. After that game, they dropped to 16th place in the EPL table. Such a ranking is obviously unacceptable for a big club with a long history like Man Utd.
Faced with such a situation, Amorim himself admitted that he might not be the most suitable person to lead the team out of this predicament. This public expression of skepticism has also made his situation more difficult.
According to insiders, United’s owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and CEO Omar Berrada plan to sit down with Amorim after the end of the season. The focus of the meeting will be to assess his overall performance since taking over the team and whether he is still fit to continue as United’s manager.
As it stands, the club will make a decision on Amorim’s future regardless of whether United win the UEFA Cup or not. It’s a bit like what they did with former manager Ten Hagar at the end of last season – underachieve and replace.
United have had a very poor season to say the least. Amorim himself is aware of the seriousness of the problem and has said that he could be sacked if his job doesn’t improve. When such words are uttered, there is naturally concern about his future.
More surprisingly, Amorim even questioned the importance of winning the UEFA Cup. He said that even if United beat Tottenham to win the title, it wouldn’t necessarily be a good thing. He also mentioned that it might be better not to play in the Champions League next season, as it would give the team more time to focus on rebuilding.
These words sound a bit “out there” and have made some club executives unhappy. After all, for a powerhouse like Man Utd, participating in the Champions League is not only a matter of honor, but also a great source of income. It is said that the club can earn about 100 million pounds more just by reaching the Champions League.
Although the relationship between Amorim and owner Ratcliffe was originally good, some of his comments after the loss to West Ham United may have affected the trust in each other. Now, he and the coaching staff are even considering whether to forgo European competition next season and instead focus on improving the team’s overall strength.
Statistically, Amorim has played 25 Premier League games since taking over at United, winning just six. This is the worst season since United were relegated in 1974. It’s really hard to satisfy the fans and the management with a record like that.
Amorim is currently under contract until 2027. If the club decide to terminate it early, they would have to pay around £10 million in compensation. That’s a lot of money, but it’s something United may be willing to take on if they really think a change of manager would make a difference.
Overall, Amorim is now in a very tricky position. On the one hand, he has the chance to turn things around by winning the UEFA Cup, but on the other hand, he is under immense pressure due to his lackluster performances in the league. The next few weeks will be a crucial time for him at the helm of Man Utd.
