Manchester United have made a final decision on whether to sack manager Ruben Amorim if they lose to Sunderland this weekend, according to a new report
United under pressure as Sunderland visit Old Trafford
Manchester United face Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, hoping to ease the growing pressure on manager Ruben Amorim.
United have collected just seven points from their opening six league fixtures and have already conceded 11 goals. Their struggles were compounded by last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Brentford, a result that intensified speculation over Amorim’s future.
BBC Sport’s Simon Stone reported afterwards that United were not considering an immediate managerial change, with minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe inclined to give the Portuguese coach more time.
In the meantime, several Premier League managers—Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Fulham’s Marco Silva—have been linked as possible successors should Amorim depart.
Ordinarily, a home game against a newly promoted side might present an ideal chance to reset, but Sunderland have started strongly under Regis Le Bris. They sit fifth in the table following wins over Brentford, West Ham and Nottingham Forest.
According to The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell, however, Amorim’s job is not under immediate threat regardless of Saturday’s result, even though another defeat could see United slide as low as 16th place depending on other outcomes.
Speaking on the Talk of the Devils podcast, Whitwell said:
“It’s a big match, and Ruben Amorim really needs a positive result. They need to beat Sunderland. But from what I’ve been told, even if they lose, it won’t be the end for him.”
Decision-making power ultimately lies with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, though he consults with key figures such as Omar Berrada, Jason Wilcox and Joel Glazer. Ratcliffe, however, is said to want Amorim to see out the full season as he continues to implement his methods with a reshaped squad.
