Ruben Amorim is under increasing pressure at Manchester United after a poor start to the season, with the Red Devils currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League
Ruben Amorim puts his hand to his face
Ruben Amorim has endured a torrid time in charge of Manchester United so far and pressure is growing on the Portuguese head coach
Ruben Amorim has been told he faces the axe at Manchester United if he refuses to abandon his stubborn tactical approach. The Red Devils lost 3-0 to bitter rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Phil Foden opened the scoring before Erling Haaland bagged a brace as United endured their second defeat in four Premier League outings. It's nearly a year since Erik ten Hag got his marching orders, with Amorim brought in as his successor at the beginning of November last year.
However, the Portuguese head coach has given little indication he possesses the skills to turn United's fortunes around, despite splashing almost £200million on transfers this summer. Amorim's biggest critics point to his stubborn insistence on sticking with his preferred 3-4-3 formation, regardless of poor results.
Former United and Wrexham keeper Ben Foster reckons that inflexibility could soon see the 40-year-old shown the door as fans and players lose faith.
"It's been rumbling for a long time," the ex-England goalkeeper said on his Fozcast podcast. "Nobody wants to really commit to it [sacking Amorim] but I guarantee you that if they've got eight points and they're still in 14th position after eight games, somebody's going to have to pull the trigger.
"It can't carry on like that. It's nearly a year since he's been managing and it's been proven that it's not working. I get that he wants to play that system, but if you haven't got the players, you can't play it. Surely you just play your best players in their best position, because then you'll get the best out of them."
Amorim received leeway during his first campaign after steering his squad to a dismal 15th-place finish in the Premier League last term. It's reported that he continues to enjoy support from the United hierarchy at present despite the club's poorest start to a season in 33 years.
However, former England goalkeeper coach Dave Watson, who features on Foster's podcast, has also challenged Amorim's qualifications.
Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United looks dejected after the team's defeat during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United
Manchester United were brushed aside by Manchester City on Sunday
"I don't believe he is a top coach, because you have to have a different way [of playing]," he said. "You're at the top of the tree in terms of Man United and the Premier League and the opposition coaches are too good for you to be stuck in your ways.
"I thought City really dominated from start to finish. We always have the same debate about Amorim, but he's not prepared to adapt in any way, shape or form the tactics of the game.
"He's getting beat tactically all the time by opposition managers and the opposition players are too good in that game against Man United. It's a simple as that."
United are bracing themselves for a difficult challenge on Saturday as they host an undefeated Chelsea at Old Trafford in the Premier League. Enzo Maresca's squad, currently sitting fifth in the league table, have kicked off their campaign with two victories and two draws from their first four matches.
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