Premier League manager: Ruben Amorim could trigger brutal response from Man United board
Ruben Amorim has put himself firmly in the spotlight after the comments he made following the 1-1 draw between Leeds and Manchester United on Sunday.
The pair of bitter rivals played out a close encounter at Elland Road at the weekend, with the Red Devils’ hard-fought point away from home keeping them within touching distance in the race for Champions League qualification.
Brenden Aaronson put the hosts ahead in the 62nd minute, before Matheus Cunha levelled for Manchester United just three minutes later to earn his team a share of the points.
It was a contest that had big implications at both ends of the league table, but Amorim’s post-match comments have provided the biggest talking point in the aftermath of the game.
Gary O’Neil reacts to Ruben Amorim comments
Amorim has been under continuous pressure at Manchester United for several months now, and speculation surrounding his position has flared up once again after back-to-back draws against Wolves and Leeds.
The Portuguese boss raised eyebrows on Sunday after storming out of his post-match press conference, amid suggestions that he had joined the club to be the manager rather than the head coach.
Amorim’s squad was stretched thinly once again for his side’s trip to West Yorkshire, as he was forced to name a bench that included six players aged 20 or younger.
His post-match statements pointed towards a potential falling out with a member of the Manchester United hierarchy, and Gary O’Neil, who has recently managed Wolves and Bournemouth in the Premier League, thinks it’s clear that he’s trying to make a point to those above him.
The former Wolves manager was a pundit on Match of the Day on Sunday night, and suggested that Amorim is not underachieving with the tools he currently has at his disposal.
“When you deliver a press conference like that, you’re obviously trying to make a point,” the 42-year-old said.
“He (Amorim) is unhappy about something, but it’s very difficult for us to know what he’s unhappy with, without knowing the internal workings of the club.
“I agree with Shay (Given) that there’s not much for him to work with at the moment if you look at that bench. They are sixth in the league, and maybe they’re not underachieving too much with what he’s got available to him.
“I understand his need and his want for more backing. But it is a dicey game when you sit in that chair, and you start to criticise those people above you, especially when it’s not gone overly well for you over the last 18 months.”
Could Amorim lose his job at Manchester United due to his comments?
Enzo Maresca recently lost his job at Chelsea after making some similarly cryptic comments to Amorim in the aftermath of a recent game.
United fans will be watching intently to find out the reaction from within the club to the boss’ latest statements, and it is certainly a situation that could end in a similar fashion for Amorim as it did for Maresca.
He has been under scrutiny from many people anyway due to the sub-par results that have occurred during his reign, and he arguably doesn’t have enough credit in the bank to begin to rock the boat in this manner.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co. must now decide whether they will side with their manager in this instance or the person who he is truly directing his fury towards.
Amorim’s statements could easily end up having the desired effect, or they could instead provide the final nail in his coffin.