‘Ruben Amorim to seal Man United sack with Hojlund gaffe vs Real Sociedad’
Ruben Amorim is already firmly planted on the hot seat at Man United despite arriving at Old Trafford just four months ago.
Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (4 March) that Amorim told close friends he thinks he made a mistake taking the Man United job, feeling he should have waited until the summer to make a decision.
The Portuguese boss has won just 38 per cent of his matches since taking over at Old Trafford, leaving supporters extremely frustrated as the Red Devils drift further and further down the Premier League table.
United are currently sitting 14th in the table, 19 points closer to the relegation zone than first-place Liverpool, but there is still a chance of bringing silverware back to Manchester.
Amorim leading this team to the Europa League round of 16 is likely one of the few things keeping him in a job right now, but unless he can avoid defeat against Real Sociedad, he will no longer have that under his belt.
Ruben Amorim under pressure to deliver goods to Man United
Richard Keys has already suggested that Amorim has one eye on the Man United exit doors, and given the amount of criticism heading his way, it would not be a total surprise.
However, United have a real chance of advancing to the Europa League quarter-finals, having returned from Spain with a 1-1 draw, with Joshua Zirkzee and Mikel Oyarzabal trading goals.
Amorim’s side welcome Sociedad to Old Trafford on Thursday 13 March, and if he wants to avoid embarrassment in front of the home support, there is a simple decision to be made about Rasmus Hojlund.
| Real Sociedad | Man United |
| 55% possession | 45% possession |
| 1.46xG | 1.16xG |
| 13 shots | 13 shots |
| 1 big chance missed | 0 big chances missed |
| 6 corners | 2 corners |
Rasmus Hojlund must be nowhere to be seen v Real Sociedad
The manager can easily appease the fans by starting Hojlund on the bench, much like he did against Arsenal, but with Zirkzee playing the majority of that draw, many are fearing the worst.
With the 22-year-old now failing to score in each of his last 20 appearances, dating all the way back to December, many are doubting Hojlund’s ability to be Man United’s number nine.
Supporters are instead pushing for 18-year-old Chido Obi-Martin to be trusted ahead of him, though Amorim’s decision to keep the youngster out of the Europa League squad has been ripped apart.
Zirkzee is certainly not the ideal striker to lead United forward, but having netted against the La Liga giants in the away leg, it is certainly better than deploying Hojlund at Old Trafford.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe indicated his public belief in Amorim this week, but after the Dan Ashworth and Erik ten Hag debacles in the past year that can evidently change quickly.