Man Utd chiefs expect more from Ruben Amorim's side this season after backing him in the summer transfer window off the back of a full pre-season, and Michael Owen has praised the club's patience
Ruben Amorim looks dejected
Ruben Amorim hasn't had the best start to life at Manchester United
(Image: PA)
Michael Owen has told fans he's in no doubt Manchester United will be sticking by Ruben Amorim. That's despite claims from Phil Jones that some of the head coach's current crop potentially "don't like him".
Amorim has failed to really impress at Old Trafford since replacing Erik ten Hag last November, suffering a trophy-barren first season with the Red Devils and finishing 15th in the Premier League table. However, the board has invested heavily in the 40-year-old this summer to give him the best chance of success.
Not only has Amorim been able to spend more than £200million at leisure to improve his squad, recruiting the likes of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, but he's had a full pre-season tour to prepare the team for the season ahead. Former Red Devils striker Owen has reminded people that it's a sign the club's top brass are standing by Amorim.
In conversation with A Bola, 45-year-old Owen said: "I think Manchester United is a patient club. Of course, they can't go year after year without doing things well. Man United gave Ruben Amorim almost a year, and it was a very poor year in the Premier League.
"They've never finished so low in the table. Many clubs would say that's not enough, that they need a new manager. But Manchester United stuck with him, and I think it's a good decision.
"They spent a lot of money, which shows they have confidence in him. You hear all kinds of rumours, but not about the club wanting to change. They're showing loyalty, that they believe in the manager. I believe that, in the short term, Ruben Amorim still has the club's trust."
With a loss, a draw and a win to show for their efforts against Arsenal, Fulham and Burnley respectively this season thus far in the Premier League, United fans may harbour questions with regards to if Amorim is indeed the right man for the job. Meanwhile, a shock Carabao Cup exit to League Two's Grimsby Town last month piled further pressure on the Portuguese head coach.
Michael Owen looks on
Michael Owen believes Manchester United are being patient with Ruben Amorim
Despite never having played under Amorim, given that Ten Hag was still at the helm of the Red Devils when he called time on his own footballing career, Jones believes that there may be unrest within Amorim's camp. Speaking to Ladbrokes, the centre-half, who racked up 229 appearances for United between 2011 and 2023, said: "Do I think there were players at United who didn’t like him?
"To be honest, that's probably a ridiculous question because I’d say there are people in the United team now who don’t like the manager. But there are probably players at Man City who feel the same way about [Pep] Guardiola; they can’t stand him.
"There are people like that in every team; these are big groups of players and different personalities, and all of them are competitive, and think they should be playing more than they are. That will never, ever change.
Phil Jones walks alongside Jose Mourinho
Phil Jones has highlighted player unrest(Image: Getty Images)
"Even when a manager is flying, there will always be someone going ‘Well, he’s not playing me, so he’s not good.' Trust me, I’ve been there myself. I’ve been a young kid moaning about training being rubbish. But in reality it’s not rubbish; you’re just hurt and you don’t know how to deal with it."
Amorim thankfully has a week to tinker with his tactics during the international break before United's next Premier League clash. However, he will have to inspire an incredible performance to get the better of Guardiola's Manchester City when they return to action at the Etihad Stadium for the first Manchester derby of the season on Sunday, September 14.
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