Ruben Amorim Sack Verdicts Delivered—But With Very Different Stances

The Red Devils are enduring their worst start to a Premier League season in history.

Ruben Amorim has vowed not to change his methods. / Catherine Ivill- AMA/Getty Images

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is under the spotlight heading into Saturday’s Premier League clash with Sunderland, with conflicting reports emerging over the security of his job should the Red Devils lose.

Having racked up just seven points from their opening six games, United are enduring their worst start to a Premier League season and are still searching for back-to-back victories in the competition as Amorim’s reign ticks over into its 11th month.

Speaking on The Athletic’s Talk of the Devils podcast, journalist Laurie Whitwell suggested the current thinking of United’s hierarchy, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe in particular, is to stick with Amorim even if the result against Sunderland isn’t positive.

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe to Have Final Say on Amorim Future

Amorim is determined to turn things around. / Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images

“I think it’s a big match, I certainly think that Ruben Amorim needs a positive result. They beat to Sunderland, don’t they, who have been pretty good so far this season,” he said. “...from speaking to people that even if they lost to Sunderland, I don’t think it would be the end for Ruben Amorim.

“I think Sir Jim Ratcliffe is the ultimate decision maker on this really. He would take recommendations from Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox, and the Glazers certainly have a voice on this as well, Joel Glazer in particular I’d imagine would have an opinion, but Ratcliffe is the one to decide really and I’m told [Ratcliffe] wants to give Amorim the full season.

“It’s a new squad, to a degree, and him trying to get his methods across even more, so we can debate whether that’s the right choice or not but that’s the current messaging from the very top with Sir Jim Ratcliffe.”

Many of the complaints directed towards Amorim have revolved around his divisive 3-4-2-1 formation. He has thus far been steadfast in his approach, warning club officials they would have to sack him if they want to see something different, but admitted for the first time this week that he may need to be more flexible.

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Could Amorim Be Sacked if Man Utd Lose to Sunderland?

Erik ten Hag’s win percentage at United was far higher than what Amorim’s is now. / James Gill-Danehouse/Getty Images

On the flip side, The Telegraph suggest Amorim really is in deep trouble and that losing to Sunderland could see his tenure brought to a premature end.

Amorim took charge in November last year, succeeding Erik ten Hag, but his win percentage of just 39.58% across all competitions is only better than interim manager Ralf Rangnick in the modern era. Louis van Gaal and David Moyes both struggled for consistent results after taking on the unenivable job of succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson, but even they registered win percentages in excess of 50% during their stays.

Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s three-year spell as manager yielded a win percentage of 54.17%, just shy of the 54.69% achieved by Ten Hag. Crucially, he did win two domestic trophies as United manager—the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024.

Amorim is said to be dividing opinion among the club’s hierarchy, specifically in relation to his suitability for the job, but he’s outwardly stated that he won’t resign as United’s manager no matter how bad things may get results wise.

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Win Percentage of Man Utd Managers Post-Sir Alex Ferguson

Manager	Number of Games in Charge	Win Percentage (%)
Ruud van Nistelrooy (interim)	4	75.00%
Michael Carrick (caretaker)	3	66.67%
José Mourinho	144	58.33%
Ole Gunnar Solskjær	168	54.17%
Erik ten Hag	128	54.69%
David Moyes	51	52.94%
Louis van Gaal	103	52.43%
Ryan Giggs (caretaker)	4	50.00%
Ruben Amorim	48	39.58%
Ralf Rangnick (interim)	29	37.93%

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De Ligt: Amorim Not to Blame for Man Utd Struggles

Matthijs de Ligt has come to the defence of Ruben Amorim. / Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images

Defender Matthijs de Ligt insisted the formation was not to blame, while summer recruit Bryan Mbeumo challenged players to take more responsibility for their poor performances and insisted the issues do not lie with Amorim.

There was, however, significantly less sympathy from United legend Wayne Rooney, who admitted he has “no faith” in Amorim to turn things around as he claimed the entire club had lost its identity.

A whole host of names have been mentioned when it comes to potential replacements for Amorim. Former Barcelona manager Xavi is known to be keen on the position if it is made available, and Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner recently admitted he was aware of the speculation revolving around him.

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