RUBEN AMORIM knows that Manchester United’s fans are “tired” of the current state of their club.
And the new manager accepts he will be in danger of losing his job, like any other manager, if results do not improve.
Amorim has only been at Old Trafford a month but the 2-0 Boxing Day loss at Wolves was his fifth defeat in seven games, and he is now preparing for Monday’s tricky visit of in-form Newcastle.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already shown his ruthless side, with sporting director Dan Ashworth being shown the door after just 159 days at Old Trafford.
United have already lost half of Amorim’s first 10 games – with predecessor Erik ten Hag losing just two of his final 10 at the helm.
The Dutchman did win just three of those matches compared to Amorim’s four.
But the Red Devils have scored less with their new boss too, netting just 17 goals in that time compared to 18 strikes under Ten Hag.
United have also shipped 17 goals under Amorim, with Ten Hag keeping a meaner defence with just 11 conceded.
Amorim, whose former Sporting Lisbon side netted 19 times in his final five games there, is contracted until the summer of 2027 and has maintained that is long enough time for him to be judged.
But Amorim knows he might not get that long if he is unable to dig the club out of this terrible mess, with the 39-year-old realising that the huge turnaround which is needed has to start soon.
United paid Amorim’s £8.3million buy-out clause to get him out of Sporting Lisbon although in recent weeks, the team has got worse.
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Amorim said: “The manager of Manchester United can never, no matter what, be comfortable.
“They paid the buy-out clause to get me. I know that if you don’t win, every manager is in danger and I like that because that is the job.
Amorim's first 10 Man Utd results:
W4 D1 L5 GF17 GA17 GD0
Ten Hag’s final 10 Man Utd results:
W3 D5 L2 GF18 G11 GD7
“You can argue that I have been here one month and I’ve had only a few training sessions but we are not winning. That is the reality and I’m quite comfortable with that.
“We have to fight against everything because our supporters are always there, but they are tired of this moment. It’s part of football to have these difficult moments. I already knew that it was going to be tough.
“You expect to win more games, to have players with more confidence to sell the idea and to work and improve things. At this moment it’s really hard. We have to survive to have time and then to improve the team.”
This is currently the worst United team in a lifetime. After the loss against Wolves, Amorim admitted that the side had to “survive” in the Premier League as they are now 14th, eight points off the relegation zone.
Another worry is that United are struggling to defend corners and free-kicks. They have conceded 10 goals from set-pieces this term with five of them coming under Amorim.
United keeper Andre Onana conceded a goal from Matheus Cunha’s corner at Wolves with Amorim’s team making the same mistake at Spurs seven days earlier.
The fact Wolves had practised trying to score directly from corners during the week shows there is an issue. Against Wolves, Onana was not protected by any defenders.
Amorim said: “Set pieces are becoming so important. We have to learn, even with the small guys.”
I just want to give something to the fans, not ask something of them
Ruben Amorim
United’s new coach was also asked whether United’s fans can play a part against Newcastle by ramping up the atmosphere.
He said: “I would not dare to ask anything of our fans. They give us everything: a full stadium, they’re always supporting, clapping loss after loss. I just want to give something to the fans, not ask something of them.”
But Amorim also conceded that the mood at Old Trafford could be tense when Newcastle attack.
He said: “We have to expect that any play from Newcastle near our box is going to make the stadium nervous and our players have to cope with that.
“So, it’s a very strong team, very fast with a lot of pace, with a lot of time working with the same coach, and we want to be competitive and try to win the game, that’s all.”
United will be without skipper Bruno Fernandes after his sending off against Wolves due to a ban.
Asked if former skipper Harry Maguire could be reinstated, Amorim said: “He will have to wait until the game.
“He works really well. He’s focused on the job, not what people say. Harry does not make excuses, even if he had some tough moments.
“I think in that department he is an example, so he is there to play to help the team. He’s trying to do that.”
By Ken Lawrence
WOLVES landed a shock Boxing Day knockout as Manchester United’s struggles continued.
The 2-0 defeat means Ruben Amorim has won just two of the seven Premier League games he has taken charge of.
United find themselves 14th in the table and today were not helped by Bruno Fernandes’ red card and Andre Onana letting one in direct from a corner.
Here is how SunSport rated the performances…
ANDRE ONANA: 4
He needed to make an agile save from Jorgen Strand Larsen in the first half, but badly misjudged the flight of Cunha’s corner for the opening goal – his claim that he was obstructed by Matt Doherty was rejected.
LENY YORO: 5
Recalled but booked after only four minutes for a foul on Cunha, so he was walking on eggshells and was tested by Wolves throughout. Subbed just after the hour mark.
HARRY MAGUIRE: 6
The England defender did his best to keep United in the game when they were under pressure for long periods – at least he helped to stem the tide until the dying seconds and had a header on target in stoppage time.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ: 6
Teamed up well with Maguire to stop Wolves from winning this more easily, he stood his ground and produced some important challenges in the latter stages before Wolves caught him on the break with the last action of the game.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI: 5
Tenacious and determined, but was one of several players given a torrid time by the best player on the pitch – Cunha.
MANUEL UGARTE: 5
Dispossesed too easily at times, struggled against a lively Wolves attack and was eventually taken off as one of Amorim’s subs following Fernandes’ red card.
KOBBIE MAINOO: 5
Looked a threat early on, created some good openings, but he was booked after the break as United looked short on ideas. Faded and was subbed.
DIOGO DALOT: 6
Brought a tremendous save from Jose Sa in the first half in what was a rare bright spot for United – but he had no major influence on a poor team display.
AMAD DIALLO: 5
Lacked awareness of his team-mates sometimes and looked a shadow of the player who turned the Manchester derby around less than two weeks ago.
BRUNO FERNANDES: 3
Sent off early in the second half for a second yellow after a challenge on Nelson Semedo, but the captain had cut a frustrated figure before that.
RASMUS HOJLUND: 5
Became visibly annoyed at times at a lack of service from his team-mates, he had no joy up front and was subbed with 10 minutes left.
SUBS
Casemiro (for Mainoo, 63 mins): 6
Christian Eriksen (for Ugate, 63 mins): 6
Antony (for Yoro, 63 mins): 6
Alejandro Garnacho (for Amad, 79 mins): 5
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 79 mins): 5
