Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United Job Under Threat as Crisis Meetings Mirror Erik ten Hag’s Final Days

Here we go again. Another day, another Manchester United crisis. You’d think by now, Old Trafford would have crisis management down to a fine art, considering how much practice they’ve had over the past decade. But apparently not.

The international break was supposed to offer some respite from the doom and gloom surrounding Ruben Amorim’s future at United. Instead, it’s given the club’s hierarchy even more time to contemplate just how spectacularly things have gone sideways since the Portuguese manager took over from Erik ten Hag in November 2024.

The Dreaded Seven-Hour Meeting Déjà Vu

Let’s talk about that infamous seven-hour crisis meeting from last year. You know, the one where club executives basically sat around a table for nearly an entire workday discussing how badly things were going under ten Hag. The meeting featured all the usual suspects: co-owner Joel Glazer, chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, and technical director Jason Wilcox.

Sound familiar? It should, because they’re apparently doing it all over again with Amorim. History doesn’t just repeat itself at Manchester United – it practically puts on a Broadway show.

The parallels are almost comically tragic. Just like with ten Hag’s final days, club bosses are now holding “casual” conversations with key players to gauge the mood in the dressing room. Captain Bruno Fernandes has reportedly been consulted, along with other senior squad members.

Sure, these discussions are being described as “informal” and “not necessarily aimed at evaluating Amorim’s position,” but come on. When has a football club ever casually chatted with players about how things are going unless they’re already questioning the manager’s future? It’s like asking someone if they’re feeling okay – you don’t ask unless you already suspect something’s wrong.

Amorim’s Underwhelming Statistics Tell a Grim Story

The numbers don’t lie, and unfortunately for Amorim, they’re not exactly singing his praises. Despite managing 50 Premier League matches, the man still hasn’t achieved back-to-back victories in England’s top flight. Let that sink in for a moment. Fifty games. Zero consecutive wins. That’s not just underwhelming; that’s borderline embarrassing for a club that considers itself among the elite.

United’s record-low 15th-place finish last season was supposed to be rock bottom. Instead, it feels more like a preview of things to come. The Red Devils are currently sitting in 10th place in the Premier League, two points away from the top six. For a club that once dominated English football, being “two points away from the top six” is about as inspiring as a soggy sandwich.

The away form is particularly painful to watch. Still without a single away victory this campaign, United’s traveling support has had about as much joy as a vegetarian at a barbecue competition. Meanwhile, their home record offers some consolation – including that 2-0 victory over Sunderland before the international break – but let’s be honest, beating Sunderland at home isn’t exactly cause for a parade.

The Carabao Cup Catastrophe That Says It All

If you want a perfect snapshot of where Manchester United stands right now, look no further than their Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby Town. Yes, you read that correctly. A team that spent hundreds of millions on players got knocked out by a club from England’s fourth tier.

It’s the kind of result that makes you wonder if the players actually showed up or if they sent their understudies instead. The embarrassment factor alone should have been enough to trigger some serious soul-searching at Old Trafford. Instead, it feels like just another Tuesday in the increasingly absurd world of modern Manchester United.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Mixed Messages

INEOS billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has found himself in the uncomfortable position of repeatedly having to defend his manager’s future. On The Business Podcast, Ratcliffe offered what can generously be described as lukewarm support for Amorim.

“He has not had the best of seasons,” Ratcliffe admitted, which is corporate speak for “things are pretty terrible right now.” He then added that “Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years,” essentially giving the Portuguese manager a three-year timeline to prove himself.

Three years? At Manchester United? The way things are going, three months might be optimistic. The fact that Ratcliffe felt the need to specify a timeline at all suggests he’s already thinking about exit strategies.

The pressure on Ratcliffe himself is mounting too. Since acquiring nearly 30% of the club and taking over daily operations, he’s struggled to shift the negative sentiment that has plagued United for years. The Glazer family’s ownership remains a constant source of frustration for fans, and Ratcliffe’s tenure so far hasn’t exactly been the revolutionary change many hoped for.

The Managerial Merry-Go-Round Continues

Of course, no Manchester United crisis would be complete without the inevitable speculation about potential replacements. The usual suspects are being mentioned: Oliver Glasner, Eddie Howe, Gareth Southgate, and Diego Simeone. Because clearly, what United needs is another new manager to restart the cycle all over again.

It’s almost impressive how the club continues to believe that changing managers will somehow solve problems that run much deeper than tactics and team selection. But hey, why address systemic issues when you can just blame the guy on the sideline?

The Fixture List from Hell

As if things weren’t challenging enough, United’s upcoming fixture list reads like a schedule designed by someone with a grudge. Over the next month, they’ll face Liverpool, Brighton, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham. Each of these matches represents a potential banana skin for a team that’s already struggling with confidence.

For a side that can’t string together consecutive victories, this run of games could either provide the catalyst for a dramatic turnaround or be the final nail in Amorim’s managerial coffin. Given United’s recent track record, it’s probably wise not to bet on the former.

The Fans’ Patience Wears Thin

United supporters have endured more disappointment than a lottery ticket collector with terrible luck. The fact that fans are still showing up and voicing their concerns shows remarkable loyalty to a club that has tested their patience beyond reasonable limits.

The protests at Old Trafford earlier this year highlighted the growing disconnect between the fanbase and those running the club. With each passing week of mediocrity, that gap seems to widen further. United fans deserve better than this endless cycle of false hope and inevitable disappointment.

What Happens Next?

If history is any guide, we’re probably looking at the beginning of the end for Amorim at Manchester United. The pattern is depressingly familiar: poor results lead to crisis meetings, which lead to “backing” from ownership, which leads to more poor results, which eventually lead to a sacking.

The question isn’t whether Amorim will survive much longer – it’s whether Manchester United will ever learn from their mistakes. Based on the evidence of the past decade, the answer seems to be a resounding no.