Ruben Amorim has candidly expressed his belief that he won't be afforded the same patience at Manchester United as Mikel Arteta received at Arsenal. Arteta has been strongly supported by the club since replacing Unai Emery in December 2019, even with just an FA Cup win in his first season added to the trophy cabinet.
Arsenal are destined for a third consecutive second-place finish in the Premier League, this time falling short to Liverpool after two near misses against Manchester City. But the Gunners will progress into the Champions League quarter-finals after a record-breaking 7-1 first-leg win at PSV Eindhoven in the round of 16. In stark contrast, United languish in 14th after a dismal streak of performances, with only the Europa League left to salvage their season and European football next term.
Amorim, who is attempting to overhaul the culture at United much like Arteta did at Arsenal, feels sure that Sir Jim Ratcliffe will not extend him the same courtesy of time to implement his vision at Old Trafford.
The 40-year-old Portuguese tactician, facing a challenging period with United, is set to lead his team against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
He stated: "I don't feel that. I will not have the time Arteta had. I feel that. It's a different club.
"I think it's a different club. I think, in that aspect, the way Arteta dealt with that is an inspiration for everybody, but I will not have the time like Arteta had."
Despite his struggles, Amorim has been forthright about his position, asserting his suitability for the long-term leadership of United but acknowledging that results will ultimately determine his future.
United's recent home record has been poor, with five defeats in their last seven league fixtures at Old Trafford.
While Arsenal is a colossal fixture on the calendar, it's clear that attention will partly be turned towards Thursday's Europa League last-16 second leg against Real Sociedad, now deemed more crucial.
The tie is perfectly poised at 1-1 after a VAR intervention gifted Mikel Oyarzabal an equaliser from the penalty spot to cancel out Joshua Zirkzee's second-half strike in San Sebastian.
Securing glory in the Europa League represents United's final hope for European action next season after bowing out of the FA Cup against Fulham last weekend.
Lifting the trophy in Bilbao on May 21 would guarantee major silverware in three successive seasons and a spot in the 2024/25 Champions League.
Amorim stressed: "We have to recover and be really smart during the game against Arsenal.
"We have to check the players; they have to sleep. It's an important moment in our season."
This article was first published in Mirror Sport