Man Utd suffered a shock defeat to Grismby in the Carabao Cup and some doubts are emerging about Ruben Amorim.
Ruben Amorim is under pressure.(Image: Steven Railston)
The press conference room is a small portable cabin at Blundell Park. There was not enough room for Manchester United correspondents, so Ruben Amorim's post-match press conference was pitchside.
Amorim said he was "really sorry" to supporters and appeared to question whether the players were onside with him. "I felt my players spoke really loud today what they want," he said.
United's head coach was not happy from the first whistle. Amorim frantically waved his arms, stamped his feet on the touchline and then dished out a b********* during the interval.
Amorim would have been seething when Grimsby prevailed on penalties. He did not watch the shootout, choosing to take shelter in the dugout, and Grimsby fans serenaded him with "you're getting sacked in the morning," when he re-emerged to conduct his interview with Sky Sports.
Once Amorim had spoken to the broadcast rights holder and the traditional press, he made a beeline for the tunnel, but three young Grimsby fans asked him for a photograph.
Amorim was seething about the result and would have been forgiven for ignoring the supporters. Most managers wouldn't have acknowledged their request, but he took five seconds to take a photograph.
You can only tip your hat to Amorim for demonstrating politeness in such a difficult moment.
It wouldn't have been rude for Amorim to blank the young fans, but he seemed to feel so. Amorim's admirable human principles are regularly on show and his character is partly why lots are still rooting for him.
Amorim spends time after games at Old Trafford signing autographs and taking photos with fans, regardless of the result, which has won him admiration and respect from the fanbase.
The 40-year-old has also made a strong impression on the journalists who report on the club. Amorim speaks warmly, his honesty is refreshing and he can be charming during press conferences.
Amorim has improved morale in the dressing room. The bad eggs were banished and sources admitted Amorim created a feeling of 'us against them' after banishing some big names.
He only wanted to sign players with the right personalities this summer. Amorim is likeable and wants to sign players with similar values. He is clearly a good person, but that hasn't stopped supporters from beginning to question him just three games into the new campaign.
There were positives to take from the Arsenal defeat, but the performance at Craven Cottage felt like a continuation of last season, which was the warning sign for the Grimsby debacle.
United started the game with £401million worth of talent on the pitch and were second best in most departments. Grimsby pounced on every second ball and the red shirts could not match their intensity.
The system has been a huge sticking point throughout Amorim's time in Manchester and a section of old-school fans simply do not agree that United should ever play with five at the back.
Amorim is desperately trying to make it work, but shocking defeats do not help his cause and the doubters are growing louder. United will not make a knee-jerk reaction on his future, but there will be an acceptance within the board that results need to improve quickly in the coming weeks.
There are no more excuses for Amorim. He has spent close to £200million to overhaul his attacking line and United still did not look like scoring for large parts of the game against Grimsby.
The cheque book might make a final appearance this summer to sign a midfielder before the deadline. Remember United reacting to humiliating defeats against Brighton and Brentford by signing Casemiro in 2022?
Everyone is hoping Amorim can succeed at Old Trafford, but the job on his hands is enormous.