Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim leaves the team hotel in Bilbao after Tottenham Hotspur won the UEFA Europa League Final beating Manchester United 1-0. Picture date: Thursday May 22, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Final. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
Ruben Amorim is facing a battle to keep his job at Manchester United(Credits: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
Jamie Carragher believes Manchester United’s key decision makers must start contemplating whether or not they made a dreadful mistake in appointing Ruben Amorim.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe granted Erik ten Hag a stay of execution last summer following a surprise FA Cup triumph but gave the Dutchman is marching orders just 11 games into the new campaign.
Amorim arrived in November, full of vim and vigour but has been found wanting in almost every aspect of the job.
Unwanted records are being set at an alarming rate and United could yet end up the season in 17th place if, as expected, they suffer defeat on Sunday against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
Wednesday night’s get out of jail free card was spurned in miserable fashion in Bilbao as Tottenham seized their opportunity to end their equality chaotic season on the highest of highs.
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While the north London club can look ahead to a summer of accelerating their rebuilding project, with or without Ange Postecoglou, Ratcliffe and his expensively assembled backroom team are left to survey the wreckage.
Will Man Utd sack Ruben Amorim?
File photo dated 21/05/25 of Ruben Amorim. Manchester United remain behind head coach Ruben Amorim despite Wednesday?s damaging Europa League final defeat to Tottenham, the PA news agency understands. Issue date: Thursday May 22, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Nick Potts/PA Wire
Ruben Amorim offered to quit Man Utd after defeat against Tottenham (Credits: Nick Potts/PA Wire)
Amorim’s future, according to Carragher, must be high on the agenda above and beyond determining the futures of wantaway players, underperforming stars and academy graduates who could be sold to generate much needed funds.
‘At some point during their post-season review of a dire campaign, someone in the Manchester United boardroom will need the courage to ask the toughest question: “Did we appoint the wrong manager at the wrong time?”’ the former Liverpool defender told the Daily Telegraph.
‘Sir Jim Ratcliffe may still believe Ruben Amorim is one of the best young coaches of his generation. He may think that, had Amorim not joined United last November, he would have been hired by another top European club and excelled.
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‘He may also be sure that if United had the same funds to rebuild the team as Amorim’s predecessors had at their disposal, it would be a question of when, not if, United return to the top of the English and European game.
‘But in the aftermath of a dismal Europa League final defeat by Tottenham Hotspur, the dilemma around Amorim is more complicated than for any of those who have tried and failed at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.’
It would be hard to argue that any of Ratcliffe’s key decisions have reaped dividends since assuming control of United’s footballing operations.
Hiring one of Europe’s most highly-rated young coaches was, arguably, the bravest of all the difficult calls he has had to make but persisting with Amorim, in the wake of a shambolic performance in a game of such importance, would be even more significant.
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BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 21: Sir Jim Ratcliffe Sir Alex Ferguson attend the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at San Mames Stadium on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe faces having to make another huge decision at Man Utd (Picture: PA)
‘The much-anticipated tactical innovations, and development of younger players, have been non-existent,’ Carragher said, assessing Amorim’s performance in the role so far.
‘The only successful game-changing strategy Amorim has offered is throwing Harry Maguire up front for the final few minutes of European games.’
On whether Amorim will get the chance to continue, added ‘At most clubs, this would put his job in jeopardy.
Should Man Utd sack Ruben Amorim?
‘At United, the board appears to be more sympathetic than ruthless, but that will not last if there is no sign of improvement after a full pre-season.
‘So far, every big call of the Ratcliffe era has backfired. Ten Hag kept his job after a shock FA Cup final win. Amorim is likely to be backed after a shocking cup final performance.
‘Once more, it feels like United are keeping the faith more in hope than expectation.’
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