Ruben Amorim’s first game in charge for Manchester United was six months ago and the problems have only gotten worse since then.
Manchester United turned to Ruben Amorim last November after parting ways with Erik ten Hag, with the Portuguese coach eager to implement his trademark style of play.
Now, six months later, the situation in the Premier League has worsened. United sit 16th in the table with only two games left to play.
Despite this, they still have a chance to secure Champions League football next season, with a Europa League final against fellow strugglers Tottenham Hotspur on the horizon.
Still, the dismal league campaign won’t be easily forgiven, regardless of what happens in the final. While there are mitigating factors behind Amorim’s difficult start, he is certainly not faultless.
Amorim demanded fewer media responsibilities at United
Despite the difficulties on the pitch, one of the most talked about aspects of Amorim’s time in charge of the club has been his media duties. The new drinking game for United supporters is to take a shot every time a new Amorim interview is released.
United lost 2-0 against West Ham on Sunday afternoon, and on Monday evening there was an interview with Sky Sports. “I’m tired of all these daily interviews,” one fan wrote on social media.
It has been a constant theme of the Portuguese manager’s time at Old Trafford so far and MailSport journalist Nathan Salt suggests that his “hands are tied” in relation to the amount of interviews he has to attend.
Many will remember Amorim’s first interview with Sky Sports after drawing against Ipswich Town in his opening game. After Ed Sheeran bizarrely hijacked the interview, Amorim said that he will demand to have fewer media responsibilities.
“I want to say this is the last time,” he replied when the presenter joked about the amount of speaking he had done in his first few days at the club.
“This week, I spoke more than four years in Sporting. And when you speak too much, and you don’t win, is really hard for everybody.
“So, was one week, and only one week. I spoke with Andrew (Ward, the director of media relations and public affairs) — I just want to work with my players, nothing more, but I understand this is a different game here. So, let’s see.”
Amorim’s media demand cannot be met
Since then, Amorim has only had to conducts 8,000 interviews. Or something along those lines.
There are media obligations for Premier League managers, and, despite the fact that United are 16th in the table, they remain the most talked about club in England.
The media cannot get enough of the Reds and Amorim seems like he’ll continue speaking even when things are as bad as they are.
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Fortunately for the 40-year-old, he is a very good communicator and has been handling the media duties well considering the circumstances his team are in, although it is clear he would rather not be doing so many.
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