Ruben Amorim’s time at Manchester United appears to be heading toward an early conclusion unless he can drastically change the issues that have led to three losses in five.
All of the pre-season excitement and optimism at Manchester United is long gone, and right now it feels eerily similar to Erik ten Hag 12 months ago.
Ruben Amorim will point to some impressive performances and deserves more from games, but the fact is that United have won just one of their opening five games this season.
Amorim is said to be in a tense situation with United right now, as results and his refusal to change the system, which so obviously isn’t working, have led to frustration.
In the stands against Manchester City, United director of football, Jason Wilcox, looked fed up with what he was watching, unsurprisingly.
But it has now emerged that other eyes were watching Amorim on Sunday, for different reasons.
Ruben Amorim applauds Manchester United fans at the Etihad.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Benfica could be keen to take Ruben Amorim back to Portugal
After losing to Grimsby, United fans thought Amorim was going to quit Old Trafford, as the 40-year-old has consistently affirmed that he will leave if the club wants him to.
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This has yet to be the case; however, Amorim needs things to change quickly. But ahead of the must-win clash against Chelsea this weekend, now an escape route could be on the cards.
With Amorim struggling, it could be a matter of games until both he and the club have a decision to make, but already, a club is positioning itself to offer Amorim a management role.
According to the Daily Mail, the front-runner to win Benfica’s presidential elections on October 25th, Joao Noronha Lopes, was in the stands to watch the Manchester derby, lining up Amorim for a return to Portugal.
Alongside him was his vice president and former Benfica player, Nuno Gomes, who happens to be one of Amorim’s closest friends, the report suggests. It comes days after Gomes declared that Amorim’s destiny is a return to Benfica, while speaking with A Bola.
“Ruben Amorim is the coach of Manchester United, I can’t answer that question. One thing I know, Ruben Amorim will be the coach of Benfica one day.”
Amorim came through the Benfica academy as a youngster, and a return might be the move he needs if the United job becomes untenable.
Amorim would face an awkward Sporting CP reunion
Amorim retains the backing of United for the time being; however, that support definitely feels fragile, which could dissipate over the next few weeks if this form continues.
If United decides to make a change, Benfica could very well choose to appoint Amorim in October if Lopes and Gomes are successful in their presidential bid.
Amorim to Benfica certainly makes sense on paper, given his connection to the club, but it would lead to an awkward reunion with Sporting CP during the Derby de Lisboa, in which fans of his former side would likely not give him a happy welcome back.
This option is interesting, but Amorim will have his eyes firmly set on beating Chelsea this coming weekend and finally getting his system to work, with the players equally as responsible for the issues at play.