Former Arsenal player Alan Smith has given his thoughts on Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United future after a poor start to the season.
Manchester United finished in just 15th place in the Premier League last season, but the fans stuck with Rúben Amorim, as many thought he needed a pre-season with the squad for his system to succeed.
However – even with the new additions this summer – United have been abysmal. They have already come out second best against Grimsby Town and Brentford this season, with narrow wins against Burnley and 10-man Chelsea.
While Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears to still have faith in the United boss, many fans seem to have a differing opinion and want to see a change soon. Either way, a win against Sunderland this weekend will prove crucial in Amorim’s future as United manager.
Amad and Tyrell Malacia have returned to first-team training in the lead-up to the game, but United remain without Noussair Mazraoui and Lisandro Martínez, who remain out through injury. Amorim has enough talent to win comfortably against a promoted side, but will he?
Smith says Amorim has reached “point of no return”
Former Arsenal player and Sky Sports pundit Alan Smith has shared his views on Amorim’s United future, following a difficult start to the season, with Liverpool just two weeks away.
“It’s got to that point of no return, I don’t think things are going to get better,” said Smith to Sky Sports. “He’s been in the hot seat for coming up to a year, and he’s had a transfer window, but you can’t see any signs of improvement.
“One or two matches, you get flashes. They [United] played quite well against Arsenal on the opening day, but still lost.
“I’ve never seen a manager go about their business the way that Rúben Amorim is at the moment. It’s a well-trodden path about his system and the fact that it maybe doesn’t suit a lot of the players.”
Smith continued to say, “But you’re not telling me he shouldn’t be doing better, even with that system. You look at the players at the back – Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire – Bruno Fernandes going forward, [Matheus] Cunha and [Bryan] Mbeumo. They’ve got good players.”
Smith says United know what to do
Smith went on to say: “It doesn’t look like the right fit, and that’s putting it mildly. There’s a lot of talk that they’re not going to sack him until a certain date towards the end of this year to save a pay-off.
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“It’s difficult to read the minds of the hierarchy at United as to what they’re thinking, but I think they know and everyone will be telling them that it is time for a change.”
Amorim is rumoured to have a condition in his contract where his pay-off package drops from £12 million to £4 million after he has completed a full year in charge of United.
INEOS may be waiting until this time – in early November – to dismiss the United boss, but poor results could force them to act sooner.
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