Ruben Amorim cannot afford a crushing defeat at Anfield on Sunday when Manchester United face Liverpool, a clash that starts a run of matches which could decide his future at Old Trafford
Jeremy joined the Daily Star in 2010 as Manchester football correspondent and for more than a decade has served as our Chief Sports Writer. He provides expert coverage on Manchester United and Manchester City, the Premier League as a whole, and the England football team. Jeremy has covered football, rugby and cricket World Cups, as well as Wimbledon, the golf majors and the Olympics.
Ruben Amorim
The pressure is mounting on Ruben Amorim(Image: Getty)
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Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe reckons Ruben Amorim might need three years to prove himself as manager. In truth, the Portuguese coach might be fortunate to last another three weeks.
Between now and November 8, United face a run of games which could very well define his future. And Amorim needs results. And that starts with Sunday's trip to Anfield.
The UK has endured six different Prime Ministers and United have had seven different managers since they last tasted victory at the home of their most bitter rivals, Liverpool, back in 2016. Now, their current boss can ill-afford a crushing defeat against Arne Slot's reigning Premier League champions.
Liverpool are the club against whom United have always measured themselves. They're United's biggest, most fierce rivals. But when it comes to standards, to trophies, they're the side United have always looked to match, to better, to, as Sir Alex Ferguson put it, 'knock off their f****** perch'.
Right now, United are no closer to landing a league title than when Amorim arrived almost 12 months ago. In truth, they're probably further away.
Now they head to Anfield, on the back of victory over Sunderland before the international break, to face a Liverpool side who've lost three in a row and have had two weeks licking their wounds. They'll be champing at the bit to get a morale-boosting win.
Some United supporters might not dare look past the trip to Merseyside this weekend. But those who do will see a run of games which could break Amorim.
Brighton visit Old Trafford next weekend - having done the double over United last season - before Amorim's men then travel to Nottingham Forest, a side still without a win since Ange Postecoglou took charge. There can be no excuses there.
Then there is the small matter of a trip to Postecoglou's former side, Tottenham, to face a side rejuvenated by the arrival of Thomas Frank. Spurs have lost once under their new boss this term.
Last season, they did the double over United in the league. Despite winning just 11 league games. Despite finishing 17th. And, let's not forget, also won the Europa League final between the two, thus hoisting themselves into the Champions League at United's expense.
Given the circumstances, Ratcliffe's backing of Amorim is admirable.
Ruben Amorim
Man United have had a poor start to the season under Ruben Amorim
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But his nod to a certain Sir Alex Ferguson, and how long it took him to find his feet as United manager, is also a reminder of where the club expects itself to be. The comparisons with Fergie, both good and bad, will forever haunt whoever happens to be walking in the great man's shoes.
Amorim isn't stupid. He knows that three defeats in their next three would leave Ratcliffe ignoring those comments and looking for another new manager. Thus, Amorim must ignore those comments too.
Amorim has been a bust so far, unable to win successive league matches, winning just 10 league games in 34 outings.
He needs an improvement on those numbers, and quickly. Winning at Anfield would be the perfect place to start.
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