Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes controversial Ruben Amorim decision
Manchester United’s season took a turn for the worse as they lost 3-1 away at Brentford in dismal fashion.
Man United’s 3-1 loss to Brentford saw United return to square one as they hunt for back-to-back wins for the first time since May 2024.
Ruben Amorim’s future is in doubt at Man United as they stumbled despite a favourable run of fixtures leading into October’s international break.
Reports have suggested Man United have drawn up a shortlist of replacements to take over from Amorim should results not improve soon.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe backs Ruben Amorim despite reports of replacements
While reports of shortlists being drawn up have circulated following United’s defeat, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has come out in defence of Amorim.
BBC Sport’s Simon Stone has reported that Amorim has the backing of Man United’s hierarchy despite their poor start to the season.
Stone wrote on X, saying: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe is backing Amorim, feels only fair to judge him on a full season with what he views as right team. External suggestions of shortlists being drawn up dismissed by Utd officials, who are adamant no-one is being lined up to replace Amorim.“
Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner were amongst those who had been touted to replace Amorim should Man United sack the Portuguese head coach.
Man United prepare for another long week after dismal Brentford defeat
Amorim spoke about the silver lining that losing the Europa League final would bring for Man United after their defeat to Tottenham in May 2025.
The idea was that United would have full weeks on the training pitch to fully understand and bed in to Amorim’s ideas, and an investment of over £200 million in the summer was also supposed to boost that hope.
However, seven games into the new season, United have lost four games, winning only twice, and they appear to be in complete disarray tactically once more.
That was the case at Brentford, as the Bees clinically dispatched a United team who looked unorganised and uncomfortable in the system they’re being asked to play.
Amorim will hope that Ratcliffe’s backing is a sign of the tide turning for the Portuguese head coach, but if results don’t improve soon, the petrochemical mogul will have to swallow his pride and admit defeat on his first major hire at Man United.