Manchester United’s early-season woes have put Ruben Amorim under intense scrutiny.
The Red Devils suffered a shocking Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby Town on Wednesday, raising serious questions about the Portuguese manager’s future at Old Trafford.
Dramatic Defeat to Grimsby Highlights Problems
United fought back from two goals down in the final 15 minutes to force a penalty shootout, but heartbreak ensued when Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo both missed in a tense 12-11 shootout defeat.
This marks the first time Manchester United have been eliminated from a domestic cup by a fourth-tier team, a humbling result that has intensified pressure on Amorim just three games into the new season.
Statistics Add to the Pressure
Amorim’s tenure since taking over in November 2024 has been turbulent.
With a win rate of only 35.6 per cent across all competitions, he holds the lowest record of any Manchester United manager in the Premier League era.
For a club of United’s stature, these numbers underline what has been a challenging nine months at the helm.
Charlie Austin Suggests a Left-Field Replacement
Amid the growing doubts over Amorim, former Premier League striker Charlie Austin has offered an unexpected recommendation for United’s next managerial move.
While Austin acknowledges the allure of big names like Zinedine Zidane, he believes the club’s immediate need is stability and structure.
“If it’s my decision, I am going after Zinedine Zidane.
Shouldn’t need doing, but at this moment in time, you do,” Austin said.
“Ultimately, though, there is a different set of managers you have got to look at because of the situation United are in.
I would take Zidane, but is he the right man for Manchester United right now? Probably not.”
Sean Dyche as the Solution
Austin points to Sean Dyche, known for his work at Burnley and Everton, as the type of manager who could restore order.
“What Manchester United need right now is structure. That is something they do not have,” he added.
Austin highlighted that Dyche’s practical approach would bring discipline and consistency, which United currently lack.
Dyche himself previously suggested that his tactics could yield better results than Amorim’s current approach.
On the Stick to Football podcast in May, he said, “He’s not going to change the way he plays. He better win some games – pretty quick.
I reckon if I went there and played my way, we’d win more games. Just 4-4-2 – give them basic rules and principles.”
A Rocky Start to the Season
Manchester United’s struggles have carried over into the Premier League, with two losses and one draw from their opening three games.
The club has earned just one point from its first two league matches, meaning Amorim has now overseen more Premier League games than the points his team has secured, accumulating only 28 points from 29 games.
With results continuing to disappoint, calls for a change in management at Old Trafford are only likely to grow louder, and the debate over whether stability from someone like Sean Dyche could save the season is now front and center.
