Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim (Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
When Manchester United fell to what was their 17th defeat of the Premier League campaign, the mood was undeniably flat considering it came at the hands of a West Ham team who are also waiting for the season to end.
In his post-match press conference, the comments of Ruben Amorim stung and sparked genuine fear among the fanbase. "We are not scared of losing a game as Manchester United," he told reporters.
"We don't have that fear any more and that is the most dangerous thing that a big club can have. It's not the players’ fault, it's my fault, I'm responsible.
"If we cannot change that really fast we should give our place to different people." The truth is that while everyone associated with the Reds wants a quick change of fortune at United, the rebuild will take time.
It is almost impossible to contemplate United finishing in the Champions League spots by merit of their Premier League position next season. This year, they could be saved by the Europa League but that's not a guarantee in 12 months time.
So if United underwhelm again and there is no sign of tangible progress, are we looking at a situation whereby Amorim departs and yet another new philosophy is integrated into the club? While the words of the Portuguese suggest that was the case less than two weeks ago, new reports surrounding Matheus Cunha suggest that is not the reality.
Reporting on social media, journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed that United are close to bringing the Wolverhampton Wanderers man to the club. MEN Sport has reported that Cunha is seen as a top target for the Reds this summer alongside Ipswich Town's Liam Delap so news of progress on agreeing terms with the Brazilian shall be welcomed.
However, a key detail in that report suggests that Amorim is looking to be here for the long term. Romano suggested that Cunha had 'accepted the project' at Old Trafford.
While not always a guarantee, talk of projects are normally saved for discussions between the proposed signing and the manager. Considering the importance the head coach has on the direction of travel, it is almost guaranteed that it is down to Amorim to sell United to Cunha.
If this is the case, which it is likely to be, there is no doubt that Amorim sees his future at the club far beyond this summer. No player worth their salt would accept a project that is little more than a year-long either.
It is becoming more and more clear that Amorim's comments post-West Ham were born out of frustration for the way this season has fizzled out. He seems fully committed to the task at hand and, let's face it, it is a sizeable one.
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