Gary Lineker has shared his theory as to what Rúben Amorim really meant after his explosive Manchester United rant on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United’s recent visit to Elland Road ended in a 1-1 draw on Sunday afternoon, with Brenden Aaronson and Matheus Cunha on the scoresheet.
After the final whistle, Rúben Amorim delivered a fiery post-match press conference, insisting he wanted to “be the manager of Manchester United, not the coach of Manchester United,” a remark widely interpreted as a call for greater authority.
Amorim also alluded to internal tensions at the club, pointing towards difficulties with other decision-makers, including Director of Football Jason Wilcox, and stressing that every department, from recruitment to the sporting director, “needs to do their job.”
In the aftermath of those comments, reports suggest Amorim’s future in the dugout has been thrown into serious doubt.
Lineker feels Amorim is pitching for a job change
Although Amorim’s outburst came rather unexpectedly, reports suggesting discontent between him and United’s board members were already emerging.
While some took his words as a shot across the bow at the board, former England striker Gary Lineker shared this theory about Amorim’s remarks, suggesting he was “making a pitch” for more power.
“It was an odd one, wasn’t it? I think it was a little bit like the [Enzo] Maresca comments two or three weeks ago,” Lineker said on the Rest is Football podcast.
“It seems to me like he’s making a pitch here – I’m not managing, I’m only coaching, I’m not really getting much say in terms of new players, I’m not really getting much support. That’s how I read it.”
Shearer feels Amorim’s record doesn’t validate control
Speaking further, ex-Newcastle frontman Alan Shearer weighed in with his comments. The Premier League record goalscorer explained that he feels Amorim’s poor record, where he has won just 15 of 47 league games in charge and lost the Europa League final, does not warrant his moaning.
“I don’t think he’s got enough in the bank to be moaning,” Shearer noted. “It’s not as if he’s come into the Premier League to manage Manchester United and been amazing.”
After Lineker agreed, Shearer continued: “Look at the results and record since he’s been the manager of Manchester United. It’s been nowhere near good enough.”
This reflects the viewpoint of United legend Wayne Rooney, who stated on Monday morning that “I think you need to earn the right, you need to earn the right to be able to dictate exactly what happens in a football club, especially a football club like Man United.
“And if [Pep] Guardiola comes into Manchester United, for instance, I don’t think anyone would question what players he wants to bring in or the system.
“I feel for him a little bit, but he’s not Pep Guardiola, he’s not Jürgen Klopp, he hasn’t got that history or that background, so I don’t think he should be speaking with that authority in what he is, and I just think the words he’s saying are very confusing to me.”
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