Browsing: Ruben

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim thinks it is important Sir Jim Ratcliffe went public with his long-term thoughts – but says nothing is certain about tomorrow in football, let alone three years.

In an interview with The Times last week, Ratcliffe said it could take Amorim three years to make a significant impact at Old Trafford.

Coming in a period when Amorim’s future has been under scrutiny following an extended sequence of disappointing results, the comments helped quell some of the immediate pressure.

But, speaking before the 100th meeting with old rivals Liverpool at Anfield, the United boss stressed that the future is hard to predict in football.

“It is really good to hear it but he tells me all the time, sometimes with a message after games – but you know, I know and Jim knows, that football is not like that,” he said.

“The most important thing is the next game. Even with owners, you cannot control the next day in football.”

Chief executive Omar Berrada has admitted it has taken far longer for Amorim to adapt to the Premier League following his move from Sporting last November than anyone imagined.

United have won 10 times in 34 Premier League matches under the 40-year-old. They are yet to win two league games in a row and have not ended a round of league games this season higher than ninth.

The dire statistics are stretching belief in the manager among the United fanbase heading into a sequence of matches their club has been awful in for the past two seasons.

Amorim said he does not feel the uncertainty internally at the club’s Carrington training ground and is adamant nothing can match the pressure he puts on his players – and in some senses, he would prefer Ratcliffe not to be trying to bring a sense of calm because he fears the impact it could have on the team.

“It’s not just a thing that people talk about, I feel it every day,” he said. “It’s really good to hear it because it helps our fans to understand the leadership know it is going to take a while.

“But at the same moment, I don’t like it because it gives a feeling that we have time to work things out. I don’t want that feeling in our club.

“The pressure I put on the team or on myself is so much bigger [than that from outside]. In football, especially in big clubs, you need to prove yourself every weekend.”

Source link

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim looks to be a target for Portuguese giants Benfica.

The 40-year-old took over at Old Trafford in November 2024, but has faced criticism throughout his tenure due to inconsistent results.

United have won only three of their opening eight matches this season, and were dumped out of the Carabao Cup in the first round by League Two side Grimsby Town.

You may like

Will Ruben Amorim become Benfica manager?

Ruben Amorim is yet to find consistent form at Manchester United (Image credit: Getty Images)

It seems Benfica hold an interest in Amorim, despite recently appointing Jose Mourinho as their new manager.

But whilst the former Chelsea chief signed a two-year contract, it is thought that his deal includes a break clause which could allow him to leave at the end of this season.

Former Benfica striker Nuno Gomes is running for presidency at his old club. (Image credit: Alamy)

Former Benfica striker Nuno Gomes is currently running to become president of the Lisbon-based side, and recently discussed his vision for the future with Portuguese sports paper Record.

Gomes was coy when asked whether he’d be interested in taking Amorim back to Primeira Liga to replace Mourinho, however, and stated, “Ruben is, above all, a great friend to whom I wish success at Manchester United.”

The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.

While he couldn’t confirm or deny a future approach for United’s manager, Gomes was more forthcoming with plans to test Manchester City’s resolve on midfielder Bernardo Silva.

“[We] will make every effort”, he said when asked whether he’d like the Portugal international return to his boyhood club.

FourFourTwo understands that United currently have no plans to dispatch of Amorim – but if the club finish below the European places, they could well part ways with the Portuguese, leading to the potential replacement of Mourinho.

Jose Mourinho is now at Benfica (Image credit: Getty Images)

Benfica’s presidential elections will take place on October 25th, and rumours surrounding the future of both Amorim and Silva could ramp up if Gomes is elected.

Manchester United take on Liverpool this weekend when Premier League action returns.

Source link

Ruben Amorim has faced increasing scrutiny over his tactics during a difficult 11 months in charge of Manchester United.

The United boss has refused to deviate from his favoured 3-4-2-1 formation since arriving at Old Trafford, despite a string of calamitous results.

Red Devils stars have reportedly been left ‘confused’ and ‘frustrated’ by Amorim’s tactical inflexibility, but the Portuguese may have now found a way to make the formation better suit his players.

You may like

Manchester United legend praises ‘clever’ Amorim for tactical tweak

Left to right: summer signings Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha (Image credit: Getty Images)

Amorim has won just 19 of his first 50 games in charge of Man United but he brought up his half century with a 2-0 victory over Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday, thanks to goals by Mason Mount and summer signing Benjamin Sesko.

United’s formation listed Mount and Bryan Mbeumo as the two No.10s behind Sesko, but Mbeumo played notably closer to the Slovenian striker than in previous games – with fellow summer signing Matheus Cunha doing the same when he replaced Mount in the second half.

Benjamin Sesko (circled, near) and Bryan Mbeumo (circled, top) played closer together against Sunderland, leaving space for Amad Diallo to attack (Credit: BBC/Match of the Day) (Image credit: Image: BBC)

Speaking on Match of the Day on Saturday night, United legend Wayne Rooney – ranked at No.4 in FourFourTwo’s list of the best Premier League strikers of all time – highlighted how this helped Amorim’s side.

The former England captain said: ‘He [Amorim] simplified the game for the players and Mbeumo was getting a lot closer to Sesko, which really helped Manchester United. Especially in the first 30 minutes, Sunderland really struggled to deal with it.

The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.

“Because they’re close to each other, the three Sunderland defenders have to stay with them and that frees up the space for Amad [Diallo] to get at the Sunderland full-back in a 1v1 situation. Now, they’re both in the box, they’re both ready to get a sniff of a goal.

“Cunha comes on and nothing changes; ball up to Sesko, Cunha running in behind. It’s a subtle change but I think it was the right one. It was clever and Sunderland really struggled to cope with it.”

Mason Mount benefitted from Amorim’s tactical tweak against Sunderland (Image credit: Getty Images)

Evidently from the team’s approach against the Black Cats, Amorim and his cohort of strikers sat down to discuss the tweak to their respective roles, which ultimately had the desired effect.

Considering Man United have recorded the most shots in the division and the highest Expected Goals (xG) tally – 14.06 – according to Opta, there is a chance that once it begins to click, Amorim’s football may eventually be vindicated.

The win lifted Man United to 10th in the Premier League going into the international break, with a daunting trip to Liverpool next up when top-flight football resumes.

If the Red Devils show a similar level of attacking threat at Anfield then they may finally have started to turn a corner under Amorim.

Source link

Manchester United have now gone 12 years since winning the title after the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson – and they’re a long way from returning to those lofty heights.

The Red Devils won the Premier League 13 times during the first 21 years of the division’s existence, but have gone through six different permanent managers since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

This season, Manchester United currently sit 14th in the Premier League under Ruben Amorim, after finishing 15th last term.

You may like

Manchester United legend has his say on club’s plight

Nicky Butt (Image credit: Getty Images)

Nicky Butt was part of the legendary Class of 92 that spearheaded Manchester United’s dominance under Ferguson, and has teamed up with former team-mate Paul Scholes and presenter Paddy McGuinness for a new podcast, entitled The Good, The Bad & The Football.

FourFourTwo visited a recording of the podcast and spoke to Butt about his thoughts about the current Manchester United side.

Matheus Cunha (Image credit: Getty Images)

“If they get top half this season, I wouldn’t be happy, but you’d take that now because it’s going to be a slow time to get back to where we want to be,” Butt told FFT. “We’re a long way off.”

Asked which summer signing he was most excited about, he said: “I think Matheus Cunha. He’s got Premier League experience with Wolves, he did an amazing job down there, and he came in and started off really well. He’s had his injury, but I’m excited to see him this season.”

The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.

As for which player from Ferguson’s great Manchester United team that Butt would put into the current team, he said: “Probably Roy Keane. I think he’d shake them up a little bit and do an unbelievable job of being the manager on the pitch if you like, and the captain.

“There’d be a lot of good quotes coming from him too, that would be interesting.”

Who could succeed Ruben Amorim?

Ruben Amorim (Image credit: Getty Images)

Butt was also asked about his overall thoughts on Manchester United’s decline, and their struggles under Amorim.

“Fundamentally, the club is rotten from the bottom at the minute,” the former midfielder told us. “Sack Amorim tomorrow and who’s coming in? No-one knows, no-one can give you a name.

Alex Ferguson (Image credit: Getty Images)

“If you brought prime Sir Alex in there, he wouldn’t be able to turn it around straight away, it would take time. You put Pep in there, or Klopp, and it wouldn’t work.”

The Good, The Bad & The Football with Butt, Scholes and McGuinness is a brand-new weekly video podcast, available on all major podcast platforms and YouTube. There will be an in-depth chat with the trio about football and their careers in an upcoming issue of FourFourTwo magazine.

Source link

Manchester United host Sunderland tomorrow, sitting 14th in the Premier League table after a continuation of their bad form under Ruben Amorim.

The Red Devils slid to 15th last season after Amorim’s appointment – the club’s lowest finish since their return to the top flight 50 years earlier.

Last weekend they lost 3-1 at Brentford, to leave them on only seven points from their first six games of this season, once again increasing the scrutiny on Amorim.

You may like

Paul Scholes gives his thoughts on Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim (Image credit: Getty Images)

Paul Scholes won an incredible 11 Premier League titles during his time at Manchester United, and still deeply cares about the club with which he spent his entire playing career.

FourFourTwo met up with the midfield legend as we visited a recording of his new podcast The Good, The Bad & The Football with his Class of 92 team-mate Nicky Butt and presenter Paddy McGuinness, and asked him to predict where Manchester United might finish this season.

Paul Scholes

“I’d take top 10 now,” Scholes said. “It’s not been a great start. They can’t seem to put two wins together. Potentially they could do better, but at this point it’s looking unlikely.”

Asked to choose which summer signing he was most excited about, he said: “Bryan Mbeumo. Obviously, he had Premier League experience at Brentford, he looks a really exciting player and a type of player who should get United fans off the edge of their seats.”

The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.

Which player from his great Manchester United team would be the first he’d put into the current team? “I’d go for Ryan Giggs,” he said.

“I think Man United at this moment in time are lacking a bit of entertainment. Ryan Giggs lifted people, lifted the crowd and lifted the players around him.”

Amorim under scrutiny

Ruben Amorim (Image credit: George Wood/Getty Images)

Scholes was also asked his views on Amorim’s current predicament, with the pressure ever increasingly on the Portuguese boss after last weekend’s defeat at Brentford.

You may like

“You talk about managers being sacked, and none of us like doing that,” Scholes stressed.

“But if he’d have been sacked on Sunday, I think we’d have all been saying ‘Yeah f***ing hell it’s about time, there’s no surprise to it’.

Paul Scholes

“I think he did have an excuse last year. He couldn’t train – well, he could train, but every three days they had a game. He’s had everything now, they’ve spent £200m and he’s got three weeks in between games to do everything he wants to do and get his style across.

“There’s just no sign of it getting any better, is there? Look, you’d like him to do well but he’s got to win games of football and he’s not winning enough games of football to warrant doing the job at the minute.”

The Good, The Bad & The Football with Scholes, Butt and McGuinness is a brand-new weekly video podcast, available on all major podcast platforms and YouTube. There will be an in-depth chat with the trio about football and their careers in an upcoming issue of FourFourTwo magazine.

Source link

While it would appear that he retains the backing of the board for the time being, Ruben Amorim is a man who is attempting to operate under considerable, and rapidly mounting pressure at Manchester United.

Wildly inconsistent performances and results have left Amorim’s misfits wallowing in 14th place in the Premier League table after six games, with just a three-point buffer between themselves and the relegation zone. United’s wild inconsistency has seen them fail to string together two consecutive wins across any competition under Amorim, while also spending just two gameweeks in the top half of the table since the 40-year-old took the helm in November 2024 following the abrupt departure of Erik ten Hag,

The recent 3-1 defeat to Brentford was the 17th league loss of Amorim’s 33-game stint at United, during which the team has accrued just 34 points, This pegs the Portuguese coach’s league win rate at a mere 27.3%, which is considerably lower than the worst previously mustered by any permanent United manager in the Premier League era (the 50% of David Moyes).

The sight of Amorim deep in despondent rumination, hunched on the touchline with his head clutched in his hands, has almost come to define his tenure so far, with a staunch refusal to yield over his tactical ideals leaving United looking no better in 2025-26 than they did last season.

It feels like Amorim has been fielding questions about his job security for almost as long as he’s been in charge at Old Trafford. Amorim’s admirably candid responses have oscillated between gritty determination, utter despair, and what appear to be outright pleas to be put out of his misery.

Here is every time that Amorim has given responses — or even offered his own comments, unprompted — about the team’s travails and his own position at the helm.

– Ogden: Man United’s Amorim running out of excuses; the numbers don’t lie
– Dawson: Struggling Brentford deepen Amorim’s Man United malaise
– Early-season angst check: Worrying about Real, Man Utd, Wrexham, more

Nov. 24, 2024

play

0:53

Amorim: Man United will suffer for a long time

Ruben Amorim reflects on his first game as Man United manager after a 1-1 draw against Ipswich.

Rather than a rallying call, Amorim chose to kick things off by warning Manchester United fans that there would be plenty more hardship to come after overseeing his debut game in charge, a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town.

“We are going to suffer for a long period. We will try to win games but this will take time. I know it is frustrating for the fans but we are changing so much in this moment with a lot of games.”

Dec. 6, 2024

play

1:12

Amorim insists Man United have to ‘manage exceptions’ for improvement

Ruben Amorim speaks about the competitiveness of the Premier League and how Man United need to stay calm.

Amorim had more home truths for his players ahead of what proved to be a 3-2 home defeat to Nottingham Forest.

“[Manchester United] are a massive club, but we are not a massive team. We know it, so not a problem to say it.”

Dec. 19, 2024

Amorim had barely been in the job for a month, but adrenaline was obviously in short supply when a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal (which had seen United battle back from 3-0 down) left him feeling numb.

“I will think about that [what I have learned] tomorrow. Tonight I don’t feel anything. There is nothing I can say to you.”

Dec. 22, 2024

play

1:13

Amorim admits Manchester United’s fans and players are ‘suffering’

Ruben Amorim takes the blame for Manchester United’s 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth.

Grim realisation at the enormity of his task had obviously begun to set in after United were booed off by their own fans following a dismal 3-0 home defeat to AFC Bournemouth — their third loss in four Premier League games. Thankfully, there was still room for plenty of understatement.

“In this moment, everything is so hard.”

Dec. 30, 2024

play

1:43

Could Manchester United really be relegated?

Ruben Amorim shockingly answers questions about whether or not Manchester United are in a relegation fight following a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

United then swiftly lost their fourth game on the trot after falling to a 2-0 home defeat against Newcastle United, a result that left them three points above the relegation zone at the turn of the year. It was also the first time a United side had lost three straight home games in almost half a century, something Amorim admitted was “embarrassing.”

“That is really clear [United are being dragged into a relegation battle] so we have to fight.

“It is also my fault. The team is not improving. We are a little bit lost in this moment and it is a bit embarrassing to be Manchester United coach and lose a lot of games.”

Jan. 19, 2025

play

0:49

Amorim brands his team ‘worst in the history of Manchester United’

Ruben Amorim doesn’t hold back on his struggling Manchester United side after another Premier League defeat.

The risible run continued into the New Year with a 3-1 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion — United’s fourth loss in five home league games. Amorim had taken just 11 points from 11 games.

Speaking after the match, the Portuguese coach made the curious decision to join the chorus of derision being aimed at his rudderless team.

“In [the past] 10 games in Premier League, we won two. Imagine what this is for a fan of Manchester United. Imagine what this is for me.

“We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that.

“We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United. I know you [the media] want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that.”

April 1, 2025

play

1:32

Amorim: ‘I will not have the time’ at Manchester United

Ruben Amorim reacts to Manchester United’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest after Anthony Elanga scored against his former club.

With April Fool’s puns aplenty, United lost 1-0 to Nottingham Forest as they continued to flounder in 13th place. With eight league games left of the season and nothing much left to play for, Amorim speculated that time might be against him.

“In Manchester United, you don’t have the time. I will not have the time. We have to get it right fast. In here, the pressure is too big sometimes.”

May 11, 2025

play

1:16

Amorim: Man United are losing the feeling of being a massive club

Ruben Amorim reacts to Manchester United’s 2-0 loss to West Ham in the Premier League.

Amorim’s side signed off the domestic season by losing six of their last nine league games, including a 2-0 home defeat against West Ham United, who themselves were winless in eight. Again, the coach bore the brunt.

“We are not scared of losing a game as Manchester United. We don’t have that fear anymore and that is the most dangerous thing that a big club can have.

“I think it’s a concern. It’s not the players fault. It’s my fault, I’m responsible.”

May 21, 2025

play

2:46

Ruben Amorim spiky with journalists: ‘I will not quit’

Ruben Amorim didn’t take kindly to a journalist’s question on his team selection in the Europa League final.

Of course, while the league might have been a write-off, United still had a chance to salvage something from their season by emerging victorious in the UEFA Europa League.

After comprehensively seeing off Athletic Club across two legs in the semis, the bubble was burst by the 1-0 defeat suffered against fellow Premier League stragglers Tottenham in the final.

Speaking in the aftermath in Bilbao, Amorim admitted he would be happy to step aside if the club decided to fire him there and then.

“If the board and the fans feel I’m not the right guy, I will go in the next day without any conversation about compensation, but I will not quit.

“I’m really confident about my job and, as you can see, I will not change anything in the way I do things.”

Aug. 27, 2025

play

1:42

Can Ruben Amorim survive Man United’s cup exit?

Mark Ogden reacts to Manchester United’s dramatic Carabao Cup exit and questions Ruben Amorim’s future at the club.

United succumbed to their first loss against a fourth-tier team in their 147-year history when they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town of League Two on penalties despite fighting back from 2-0 down.

On a night in which Amorim tinkering with his tactics board became an instant meme, the dispirited Portuguese coach appeared to hint that his players had now completely downed tools.

“I felt my players spoke really loud today about what they want. Something has to change, and you’re not going to change 22 players again.”

Aug. 29, 2025

play

1:54

Amorim: Sometimes I want to quit Manchester United

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim speaks on his future at the club ahead of their game against Burnley.

Having failed to secure a win in his first two games of the 2025-26 season, Amorim once again remained circumspect over his immediate future while speaking ahead of United’s third game of the season, even openly admitting that he had entertained the thought of resigning.

“That is my idea [to continue as United boss] but I’m not going to promise you nothing [about] what the future will be.

“Sometimes I want to quit, sometimes I want to be here for 20 years, sometimes I love to be with my players, sometimes I don’t want to be with them.”

Sept. 19, 2025

play

2:13

Amorim jokes Ratcliffe offered him a new Man United contract

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim reveals that he still has the full support of Sir Jim Ratcliffe despite a run of poor form.

With rumours continuing to swirl, Amorim was able to crack a joke after it was reported that United minority owner Jim Ratcliffe had flown in to Carrington for talks. However, the gag certainly had the air of gallows humour about it.

When asked what was discussed during his meeting with Ratcliffe, the United coach was ready with a quip.

“New contract, he was offering me a new contract!”

Amorim was then grilled on his dogmatic commitment to his preferred (and much-maligned) 3-4-3 formation despite it becoming increasingly clear that his United side are struggling to make it work on any form of concise, coherent level.

“Not even the Pope could make me change my formation.”

Sept. 26, 2025

play

2:12

Amorim reiterates importance of a Brentford win

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim wants a “good start” when they face Brentford in the Premier League.

Addressing the inconsistency of his side after beating big-name rivals Chelsea, Amorim seemed to suggest that he had no idea how United would fare against Brentford and that he was simply going to approach the game like it was his last.

“To be honest, I have an idea [which version will turn up], but I don’t know how it’s going to be and I’m the manager of the team.

“The best way of dealing with that is approaching every game like it’s the last one.”

Sept. 27, 2025

play

1:17

Amorim: Man United played like Brentford wanted us to

Ruben Amorim says Manchester United got sucked into Brentford’s game as they fell to a 3-1 defeat.

Man United would go on to lose 3-1 against the Bees but, undeterred, Amorim maintained that he was “not concerned” about his job amid renewed calls for a change of personnel in the Old Trafford dugout.

“I am never concerned about my job. I am not that kind of guy.

“It is not my decision. I will do the best I can every minute I am here.”

Source link

The pressure is increasing on Ruben Amorim with every passing week and plans for what happens next are being made and re-made behind the scenes.

Manchester United finished in the lower reaches of the Premier League last season and missed out on the last-minute salvation of a Champions League place through the Europa League.

Ahead of their first new season under Amorim, the Red Devils invested heavily in the transfer market to bring in Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Senne Lammens, but there has been little if any improvement.

You may like

Jim Ratcliffe wants Amorim to have a full season in charge

Manchester United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe (Image credit: Getty Images)

Amorim’s tactical inflexibility and a less than stellar run of results since taking over from Erik ten Hag have earned him intense media scrutiny and left him vulnerable to the whims of football management’s fickle finger of fate.

But, while it’s understood that sacking Amorim would cost United £12 million, the head coach has previously been clear in his assertion that he would not resign.

Ruben Amorim is under pressure at Man United (Image credit: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Nevertheless, United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly decided against sacking Amorim and the perceived threat at Old Trafford is in fact that the former Sporting CP boss could quit, according to ‘Manchester United insiders’ as revealed by The i Paper.

“Amorim is understood to be taken aback by how much scrutiny is on a United manager and the knee-jerk reaction to every defeat,” reports Pete Hall.

The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.

“Another loss at home to Sunderland at the weekend would pile the pressure on Amorim yet further, with a growing number of supporters calling for a change in the managerial hot seat.

“However… co-owners Ineos is willing to be patient with the beleaguered Portuguese, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe described as “desperate” to give his manager a full season to prove himself.”

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim (Image credit: Getty Images)

As the prospect of results forcing Ratcliffe to change his mind intensifies, United sources claim that ‘there is a chance Amorim could jump’ and he could seek to protect his reputation from United’s ‘embarrassing’ results.

You may like

The Red Devils finished last season in 14th place in the Premier League and have struggled to provide much evidence of an upward swing in form this term.

United have won two of their three home matches this season but lost to Arsenal on opening day and have been beaten away from Old Trafford by Manchester City and Brentford, conceding six goals in those two fixtures.

But Amorim’s lowest ebb might have come in the Carabao Cup second round – a stage of the competition United are unaccustomed to participating in at all – when he was unable to watch as his team lost on penalties after a dismal performance at Grimsby Town.

“Saturday’s Brentford defeat was seen as a real setback given the manner of the loss, especially on the back of a success over Chelsea the previous week. Ineos, however, is confident Amorim can learn from mistakes made in that game,” reports Hall.

United take on Sunderland on Saturday as Premier League action returns.

Source link

A bus has passed Manchester United’s Old Trafford base, ridiculing head coach Ruben Amorim’s tactics.The Red Devils boss is known…

Ruben Amorim has claimed “not even the pope” could make him deviate from his 3-4-3 formation, despite Manchester United’s poor…

Sep 16, 2025, 05:37 AM ETBenfica presidential candidate João Noronha Lopes has denied speculation he wants to bring coach Ruben…