Louis Saha has explained what Sir Jim Ratcliffe will be thinking about Rúben Amorim following Manchester United’s shock loss against Grimsby Town.
Manchester United exited the Carabao Cup in the second round after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town.
The hosts started on the front foot and went ahead through a powerful strike from Charles Vernam, before former United trialist Tyrell Warren doubled the lead after an André Onana error.
Rúben Amorim responded after the break, introducing Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, and Matthijs de Ligt. Mbeumo gave United hope with a tidy finish from Kobbie Mainoo’s pass, and Harry Maguire forced penalties in stoppage time with a header from Mason Mount’s corner.
Despite Onana saving one spot-kick, misses from Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo in a 26-shot shootout confirmed United’s early exit.
Ratcliffe considering axing Amorim, says Saha
With the Grimsby Town loss coming soon after a defeat against Arsenal and a draw against Fulham, conversation has already begun surrounding whether United’s directors and decision-makers should consider sacking the head coach.
Speaking after the game with ITV, former United striker and legend Louis Saha has admitted that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will have the idea in his head.
“I think they have some consideration,” Saha explained when asked if it’s a possibility. “They have to have a bit of a rough attitude. This ground is difficult to come to, but it’s what they’re here for; they have to perform.
“They have to find solutions. At the moment, we need to see better, speed of play, all this is missing. All the courage you expect from Man United, the quality, it’s not there. They have to regroup and find solutions.”
Amorim may only have one way to change his future
If United continue at this current trajectory, Amorim will quite quickly have no choice but to face being sacked, with United sitting 16th in the table after two fixtures and already out of the Carabao Cup.
If Amorim turns up to the coming fixture at Old Trafford against Burnley with the same system in place, this may spell the end for the head coach, regardless of the result, because after he admitted that something has to change, if he does not feel this is his set-up, there is little hope left.
It has become clear over the last few months that Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system does not work in English football, as the bullish, quick, and tireless nature of the British game leaves too many gaps in the side exposed.
If Amorim were to go against himself and change the formation, he may be able to survive. It has long been theorised that the current crop of United players would fit a 4-3-3 formation very well, and if he’s on the brink of the sack anyway, he may as well adjust his methods against Burnley to see if it can work.
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