Ruben Amorim’s tenure as Manchester United’s head coach reached a new low point following their defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second round earlier this week. According to sources, he is expected to engage in confrontational discussions with the club’s management during the upcoming international break.
Burnley will be the first team to visit Old Trafford this weekend. The Manchester derby will be the next event after the forthcoming fixture break, and United will then host Chelsea.
The similarities between the commencement of this season and the commencement of Louis van Gaal’s tenure are noteworthy. Opening weekend losses at Old Trafford as a result of unbeaten preseasons were determined by the odd goal.
The League Cup second round was followed by embarrassing exits to lower league opposition, as the team drew their first away game 1-1 after seizing the lead. Burnley is the subsequent stop.
Eleven years ago, United’s Van Gaal secured a 0-0 draw at Turf Moor prior to the September international break. It is uncertain whether Amorim will be able to maintain his position in command following a fourth consecutive loss to commence this campaign.
Nevertheless, that season demonstrates that it is still possible to salvage such a situation. United did not achieve their full potential until after the November international break, as they only won four of their first 11 Premier League games.
However, they proceeded to win five consecutive matches, commencing with an away victory over Arsenal. Until mid-April, United suffered only two additional losses before embarking on a three-game losing streak.
Amorim should be granted the same level of leniency, despite the fact that a significant portion of the previous season was already against him. The subsequent five games, which will extend United’s season until the subsequent international break, should serve as a more accurate indicator of whether to continue with the Portuguese coach.
United is unable to continue dismissing managers and anticipate that the situation will improve. Additionally, Amorim’s capacity to endure is limited, absent substantial modifications. As the organization approaches a well-known crossroads, both of these statements are accurate.
Amorim’s post-match interviews at Grimsby were telling: his English is impressive, but had they been conducted in his native Portuguese, you’d expect the coach would have edged even closer to the point of no return.
I think Amorim deserves more time to work with his new signings, but if he does really believe he has lost the dressing room, then you have to ask whether he can lead a turnaround – or whether he even wants to, for that matter.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Manchester United hierarchy are poised to make yet another significant managerial decision; however, this should prove to be the easiest.
Amorim’s words and tactics should be a real concern, alongside his reluctance to adapt with that further evidenced by still using a back five when his side were 2-0 down to Grimsby. Mikel Arteta is often the reference point for allowing struggling managers to be given time.
However, it must be remembered that Arsenal squad from a number of years ago was very made while there are several good players at United, but they are certainly not a team. A significant amount of money has been spent to sign three attackers and given the quality now in the team, United will be better off going elsewhere.
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