
Some within Manchester United have raised questions about head coach Rúben Amorim’s tactical setup and player management methods. There is a feeling inside the club that unless he leads the team to an improvement in results, the manager may resign voluntarily.
Amorim is currently under immense pressure following United’s elimination by Grimsby Town in a penalty shootout in the EFL Cup second round—marking the first time the Red Devils have ever lost to an EFL League Two side in this competition. The defeat means United are still winless so far this season; they have also lost to Arsenal and drawn with Fulham in the Premier League, leaving them in a precarious position ahead of their home match against Burnley on Saturday.
United currently have no plans to sack Amorim, but there is a sentiment within the club that if results fail to turn around, the Portuguese manager may step down voluntarily due to sticking to his guns—possibly even as early as the upcoming international break next week.
After finishing in a club-record low 15th place in the Premier League last season, the team’s poor form has sparked doubts about Amorim. He guided United to just 27 points from 29 league games, and his insistence on using a 3-4-3 formation has come under particular scrutiny.
Questions have also been raised about his player management approach. Many players believe his intentions are good, but his methods sometimes backfire.
Following the loss to Grimsby, Amorim stated that “something has to change.” However, at United, few expect this to mean a shift away from his preferred formation—one he also used successfully during his previous tenure at Sporting CP.
Director of Football Jason Wilcox is understood to have recognized the issues with Amorim’s tactical arrangements and player management, and may look to address these problems.
United’s match against Burnley will be their last before the international break. News emerging from Old Trafford on Thursday indicated that business as usual is ongoing. After the break, the Red Devils will travel to the Etihad Stadium for the Manchester derby on September 14th.