Manchester United have made a slow start to the new campaign, and Alan Shearer has sent a stern warning to Ruben Amorim ahead of what he considers to be crucial clash with Burnley
Alan Shearer talks on The Rest Is Football podcast
Alan Shearer has a message for Ruben Amorim(Image: YouTube/The Rest Is Football)
Alan Shearer believes Ruben Amorim could be under serious pressure if Manchester United fail to beat Burnley this weekend.
United's stuttering start to the season has already raised concerns, with a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal followed by a frustrating 1-1 draw against Fulham. After enduring a dismal 2024/25 campaign, Amorim can scarcely afford another setback – making Saturday's 3pm clash with Burnley a must-win, at least in Shearer's view.
"They [United] are one of the teams that have to start winning pretty soon, otherwise the pressure will mount, hugely. There's no doubt it," the Newcastle legend said on The Rest is Football podcast.
"They've got Burnley next. That's one of those games where you probably want it, but if you don't win it then it really does mount the pressure. So they've got to win that one at home, there's no doubt about it."
Before meeting Burnley, United head to Grimsby Town on Wednesday for a second-round EFL Cup tie. Ordinarily, the match would offer a chance to rotate the squad and give youngsters valuable minutes, but anything less than a convincing win over the League Two side risks piling further pressure onto Amorim's shoulders.
The trip could also serve as a valuable chance to boost the confidence of United's new-look front three. This summer, more than £200million was spent on Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, yet none of them have opened their accounts with a goal or assist so far.
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim must produce results soon or face the axe, according to Alan Shearer
(Image: PA)
Cunha has come closest, striking the post against Fulham and forcing a fingertip save from David Raya in the Arsenal defeat. Mbeumo has shown flashes of quality too, particularly with a spectacular acrobatic effort that flew narrowly wide against the Gunners.
But perhaps most important is getting Sesko off the mark. Signed from RB Leipzig for £74m earlier this month, the 22-year-old is under pressure to avoid the struggles that derailed Rasmus Hojlund. The Dane, who was brought in for a similar fee in 2023, never found his rhythm at Old Trafford – and once his confidence ebbed away, so too did the goals.
Since the Premier League began, United have failed to win any of their opening three fixtures on just three occasions – and on two of those they still went on to lift the title.
Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko & Matheus Cunha pose together with team shirts
Manchester United's new front three are yet to get off the mark
(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)
The most recent instance came in 2014/15, when Louis van Gaal's reign began with a defeat to Swansea followed by draws against Sunderland and Burnley.
Amorim will be desperate to avoid a similarly poor start to his first full campaign at the helm, and he may take encouragement from United's recent dominance over the Clarets.
They are unbeaten in their last seven meetings, winning five, and have suffered just two defeats to them since the late 1960s. Still, history will offer little comfort if United fail to perform in the present.
Saturday's clash comes just before the season's first international break, and the club will be eager to enter it on a high. Anything less than victory risks souring the mood – one potentially bitter enough to see Amorim chewed up and spat out.
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