Ruben Amorim is at risk of becoming known as the Manchester United manager who built a reputation that would have been a cardinal sin in Sir Alex Ferguson’s era.
The 40-year-old Manchester United manager has not been able to escape the pressure of the Old Trafford hotseat since his arrival from Sporting CP last November.
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Ruben Amorim has had a rollercoaster ride of emotions during his time at the Premier League club after replacing former Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag.
The sixth permanent United head coach in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, Amorim has seen the Red Devils’ form take a wobble in recent weeks of the campaign.
United appeared to take a turn for the better when the club won three Premier League matches in a row under Amorim, but the momentum has since waned for the Red Devils.
READ MORE: Man Utd fans did something at Old Trafford that sparked rare Roy Keane reaction, he really did not like it
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park in 2025 in London, England.
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Ruben Amorim could be haunted by the Man Utd question that was unthinkable in Sir Alex Ferguson’s time
Ruben Amorim held his pre-match press conference on Thursday evening for the Red Devils’ Premier League clash with Wolves after the West Ham match.
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Manchester United hosted West Ham at Old Trafford and the Red Devils dropped valuable Premier League points after the Hammers clinched a late equaliser.
Following United’s 1-1 draw against West Ham, Amorim was repeatedly asked about the elephant in the room over his decision not to play Red Devils talent Kobbie Mainoo.
THIS was Ruben Amorim and Kobbie Mainoo’s first meeting – November 12, 2024
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When asked if he understood why Kobbie Mainoo was a frequent talking point, Amorim said: “Yes, of course.
“Of course, I understand, and my job is to answer, but I’m trying to answer always the same thing, and you ask me always the same thing.
“I understand what you are saying. ‘You love Kobbie, he starts for England,’ but that doesn’t mean that I need to put Kobbie [in] when I feel that I shouldn’t put Kobbie [in].
“So, it’s my decision.”
What is your MESSAGE to Ruben Amorim after the 1-1 draw vs West Ham?
“We had good moments and we lost a little bit of control after the goal. We should have closed the game when we scored the first one.”
Ruben Amorim
Manchester United v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Just when it felt that Amorim escaped the discussion around Mainoo, the Portuguese coach faced some of the most daunting interrogation for any United manager.
When he was told that it felt like he didn’t ‘trust’ the United youth academy, Amorim responded: “Why?”
Amorim was then told that he ‘never picked any players’ from the academy and the former Sporting CP boss stood firm by repeating Mainoo’s name to the media.
“Any players? We have Kobbie Mainoo,” he responded, as per Manchester United’s official website.
READ MORE: Andy Mitten shares ‘conflicting messages’ he has been getting about Kobbie Mainoo at Man Utd
Ruben Amorim cannot forget the Man Utd traditions that Sir Alex Ferguson threw his entire support behind
United fans were concerned when Jose Mourinho arrived at Old Trafford as Red Devils head coach and what would happen to the academy talent under his reign.
But not even Jose Mourinho had it as bad as Amorim when it comes to the constant bombardment of questions about United talent not playing first-team football.
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Manager Ruben Amorim arrives ahead of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Manchester United at Selhurst Park in 2025 in London, England.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Amorim is not doing himself any favours, though, especially when it comes to playing the academy talent in the United way that Sir Alex Ferguson once did.
The Portuguese coach can say Mainoo and Shea Lacey are in the squad, but actions speak louder than words and the responses are failing to cut through the noise.
Amorim had better prepare himself for the frequency of the Mainoo and Shea Lacey questions to drop on his reign like an avalanche if he doesn’t turn to them soon.
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