Ruben Amorim Calls for Autonomy at Manchester United
Ruben Amorim has urged Manchester United's management to allow him to fulfill his role without interference.
Following hints about internal issues on Friday, Amorim made a significant statement during the final question of his post-match press conference after the 1-1 draw against Leeds United. He suggested that he has faced unwanted interference from senior figures within the club and that Manchester United has become overly sensitive to external criticism.
He referenced three prominent former Premier League managers, implying they would not experience the same treatment. Amorim emphasized that he intends to leave the club when his contract expires in 18 months.
"I want to make it clear that I came here to be the manager, not just the coach," he stated. "Every department, including scouting and the sporting director, must carry out their responsibilities. I will perform my duties for the next 18 months, and then we will all move on. That was the agreement. My role is not merely to coach."
He added, "If people cannot handle criticisms from individuals like Gary Neville, we need to reconsider the club's approach."
Neville, among other former United players, has been vocal in his criticism of the club's recent performances. He described the home draw against bottom-of-the-table Wolves on December 30 as "the baddest of the bad."
Fellow 'Class of 92' member Paul Scholes remarked last month that Amorim "doesn't understand" Manchester United's traditions due to his preference for a three-man defensive formation, which contrasts with the club's historical use of wingers.
Although Amorim switched to a four-man defense for a victory against Newcastle on Boxing Day, he reverted to a back three in subsequent matches, including the one against Leeds.
A recent report indicated that Christopher Vivell, United's head of recruitment, urged Amorim to adjust his tactics after Fulham manager Marco Silva provided a detailed counter-strategy following their 1-1 draw in August.
Amorim has acknowledged disagreements with the club regarding transfer targets, and tensions with director of football Jason Wilcox appear to be escalating.
Amorim's 18-Month Plan - Unless Board Decides to Change
When asked about his confidence in the United hierarchy, Amorim responded, "I noticed that you received selective information about everything. I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not just the coach. That is clear. I know my name is not [Thomas] Tuchel, [Antonio] Conte, or [Jose] Mourinho, but I am the manager of Manchester United. It will remain this way for 18 months or until the board decides otherwise. I will not quit; I will continue to do my job until someone replaces me."
While United officials have attempted to portray a sense of harmony, Amorim's statements challenge that narrative. He was introduced as 'head coach' when he succeeded Erik ten Hag on November 1, 2024.
Despite a challenging run of one win in five games, Amorim remains optimistic about the club's direction. However, the sustainability of the current situation is questionable, and it remains to be seen if his comments will have an immediate impact. Amorim is scheduled to address the media again on Tuesday afternoon before his team's match against Burnley the following night.
United Boss Supports Struggling Sesko
Amorim is also contending with the underperformance of £73.7 million striker Benjamin Sesko. The Slovenian has scored only two goals in 16 appearances and squandered several opportunities against Leeds, including a crucial chance to secure a win.
It has been nine games since Sesko last found the net, which raises questions about the decision to bring him in as a replacement for Rasmus Hojlund, who has since moved to Napoli on loan after underwhelming performances.
Amorim, however, views the situation differently: "Ben has completely different characteristics from Rasmus, and he is doing the right things. I understand that as a striker, missing chances leads to criticism, but to miss those chances, he must be in the right positions. That’s the first step. He just needs to score once, and the pressure will lift, improving his performance."