It’s been a rough ride for Manchester United this season, and all eyes are on Ruben Amorim as the pressure piles up.
The club is facing one of its most challenging campaigns in years, and critics are lining up to question whether the current manager can turn things around.
One of those critics is Sean Dyche, who hasn’t held back in sharing his thoughts on the situation at Old Trafford.
Sean Dyche Throws His Hat in the Ring
Sean Dyche, who was let go by Everton earlier this year, has openly declared Manchester United as his dream club to manage.
Speaking candidly on the Stick to Football podcast, he made it clear he believes he could do a better job than Amorim, whose team has struggled mightily this season.
Dyche was blunt: “He’s not going to change the way he plays.
He [Amorim] better win some games – pretty quick.”
He added that if he were in charge, he’d simplify things with a straightforward 4-4-2 formation and some basic principles, suggesting that would bring more victories.
“We’re all going, ‘Fair play’ – but, he’s been there a while now so you better start bringing some wins soon,” Dyche said.
Winning Comes Before Style
Dyche echoed a well-known football mantra, originally from Howard Wilkinson: “Win, survive, succeed.”
The idea is that first and foremost, you need to get wins on the board to build confidence and stability.
Only after that can you focus on a long-term style or philosophy.
Dyche warned that Amorim’s biggest challenge right now is simply securing enough wins to keep his job and the club stable.
The Reality at Old Trafford
Under Amorim, Manchester United have collected just 24 points from 25 Premier League games—a shockingly low return for a club of United’s stature.
They’re currently 16th in the table, and if you exclude results against the relegated teams, United would be sitting at the very bottom.
Since January, they’ve only managed wins against Ipswich and Leicester, which hardly inspires confidence.
The Europa League final still offers a lifeline to qualify for the Champions League, but the league form has been an embarrassment by United’s standards. It’s clear that big changes are needed, and fast.
What Lies Ahead for Amorim?
Sean Dyche doesn’t expect Amorim to escape the pressure cooker anytime soon.
“I’d be surprised if Ruben Amorim is not under pressure early next season,” he said.
Dyche gave some room for optimism, saying the current season might be laying a foundation, but warned that the next preseason will be crucial.
He explained how Amorim will need to use the summer window to bring in players who buy into his vision and let go of those who don’t.
If results don’t improve quickly next season—probably by Christmas—then it might be time for the club’s directors to consider whether to stick with him or make a change.
Players Thriving Away from United
To add fuel to the fire, some United players loaned out this season, like Antony and Marcus Rashford, have shown marked improvement away from Old Trafford.
Their success elsewhere only highlights the struggles of the current squad and Amorim’s challenges in getting the team performing as a unit.
The Europa League Final and Its Stakes
United’s next big test comes against Tottenham in a Europa League final that could be worth an estimated £100 million to the winner—a huge incentive and potentially a season-saver for Amorim.
A victory would not only bring silverware but also a backdoor ticket into next season’s Champions League, something that could help ease the mounting pressure.
Dyche Thinks Southgate Would Have Been a Better Fit
While Dyche himself is unlikely to get the United job, he suggested that Gareth Southgate would have been a smarter choice.
Coming from the challenging role of England manager, Southgate knows the pressures and scrutiny that come with the territory.
Dyche said, “I thought the Manchester United job fitted Gareth [Southgate] really well.”
He stressed the need for bravery from clubs when making big managerial decisions, acknowledging the pressure from fans and media but also the importance of backing the right man for the long term.