When Manchester United brought in Ruben Amorim from Sporting Lisbon last November, there was hope that he could bring fresh ideas and stability to Old Trafford.
However, things haven’t gone as planned. The 40-year-old manager has had a rough beginning, losing nine of his first 22 matches.
United’s struggles have been most evident at home, where they’ve suffered five defeats in their last six Premier League matches.
As a result, they currently sit 15th in the league, a staggering 14 points away from the top four.
While Amorim has stuck to his preferred 3-4-3 system, the team is yet to show significant improvement under his leadership.
Bright Spots Amid the Struggles
Despite their poor league form, United has managed to stay in the FA Cup, reaching the fifth round, and they’ve also secured a place in the Europa League last 16.
Their latest Premier League outing saw them scrape a 2-2 draw against Everton after a late comeback, but their first-half performance once again raised concerns.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes United’s owners, particularly Sir Jim Ratcliffe, may already be questioning whether appointing Amorim was the right decision.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate by Sky Bet, Carragher suggested that the club’s leadership must be wondering if they acted too soon in hiring the Portuguese coach.
Carragher Questions United’s Decision
“The people at the top at Man United—they’re only human,” Carragher said.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that Jim Ratcliffe will be thinking, ‘Have we made a mistake?’ I’m not saying they should change the manager, but I wasn’t expecting to see this level of struggle.
It’s not just about results, it’s about seeing something positive on the pitch.”
Carragher pointed out that other managers with similar tactical philosophies have made an immediate impact.
He highlighted Oliver Glasner’s appointment at Crystal Palace last season as an example.
Despite playing a similar 3-4-3 system, Glasner quickly turned things around, leading Palace to seven wins in their last 13 games and securing a comfortable 10th-place finish.
Lack of Progress Raising Doubts
Carragher noted that Amorim had made a strong impression initially, particularly in his press conferences.
“I was really positive about Amorim. He was confident and articulate.
But given how bad United have been, it’s only natural to wonder if they moved too early with this appointment.
He’s still only 40, and the Premier League has some of the best managers in the world. He’s going up against more experienced coaches week in, week out.”
While Amorim’s potential was evident—Liverpool even considered hiring him—his current struggles have led to growing concerns.
Carragher emphasized that while he isn’t calling for a managerial change, the level of United’s performances will inevitably create doubts both in the boardroom and the dressing room.
What’s Next for United?
The Red Devils face a crucial run of fixtures, starting with Ipswich on Wednesday.
After that, they’ll take on Fulham in the FA Cup and Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
These matches could be pivotal in shaping Amorim’s future at the club.
If results don’t improve soon, the pressure on Amorim—and United’s leadership—will only intensify.