Things are just not getting any better for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United.
After a spirited 2-1 home win over Chelsea and a demand that his players not allow their momentum to drop, the Red Devils delivered another wretched performance as they lost 3-1 at Brentford.
Even accounting for the clear error by the match officials and VAR not to send off Nathan Collins, after which Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty, it would be unjust to say United deserved much from the game. And the result means Amorim has still failed to win two or more Premier League games in a row after nearly 11 months in the job.
It looked like the writing was on the wall when United were outplayed by League Two Grimsby Town before losing that Carabao Cup tie on penalties, but they battled to a 3-2 home win over Burnley just before the September international break to buy the head coach time. Any suggestion they had turned a corner was quashed on September 14 as they lost the Manchester derby 3-0, but again, they responded positively to defeat Chelsea. After their latest embarrassment at Brentford, the pattern suggests they may beat promoted Sunderland in a week’s team before the small matter of a trip to Anfield to face the champions.
It seems remarkable that there was an air of positivity around the Red Devils six weeks ago following a largely good preseason and an enterprising performance in a 1-0 loss to Arsenal. An insipid draw at Fulham and their humiliation at Grimsby marked something of a turning point for Amorim, with some fans, the majority of whom had been unequivocal in their backing of the manager, now wondering whether he should continue.
Amorim said there would be a time to “think” during the September international break. For now, he remains in the job. How much longer will this continue, though? The Sporting News examines the latest.
MORE: Ruben Amorim’s awful Man United record | How much it would cost to sack Amorim
Has Ruben Amorim been sacked?
As of September 27, Amorim remains in charge of Manchester United’s men’s first team, and there is little reason to think things will change imminently.
The club was largely silent immediately after the Grimsby debacle on whether they backed the Portuguese to turn things around, but that is no great surprise: they wanted the dust to settle before offering any indications over their next move. Simon Stone of the BBC reported later on August 28 that Amorim still had the backing of the club’s hierarchy, although it felt notable that the club’s official X account did not post anything for more than 24 hours after the Grimsby loss.
Amorim’s post-game comments in which he claimed “Sometimes, I hate my players” did not exactly engender confidence that he would turn things around, but there was at least a response as United battled to a 3-2 victory over Burnley at the end of August. Yet that 3-0 loss at Man City made sure there was no chance of positivity building at the club.
The pattern was repeated as they won a crazy game over Chelsea only to produce another listless away performance against Brentford.
Ruben Amorim latest news, updates: ‘Suffering’ coach insists he will not change tactics
Amorim claimed United’s loss to Brentford was because they did not apply their training preparations in the game. He also said he was already looking ahead to their next match.
“We didn’t control the game,” he said to TNT Sports. “We played Brentford’s game: first balls, second balls, set-pieces. All of the crucial moments were against us. It’s tough to lose again, but we need to think about the next game.
“The first goal was a long ball. We worked on that in the week and we worked on set-pieces. We knew the long balls [were going to come], but one touch and they had the opportunity. We need to do better.
“We didn’t play our game. We had control for some moments, but it was more or less all the same. We need to play our game, not the opponents’, but they were stronger on that.”
Speaking after the loss to City, Amorim once again fielded questions over whether he would change his system after a run of eight wins in 31 league games.
Despite his team being the worst-performing Premier League side outside those relegated last season since he was appointed, Amorim insisted he would stick to his ideals.
“Guys, I understand that and I accept,” he said. “It is not a record you should have in Manchester United. There are a lot of things — you have no idea what happened during these months — but I accept that. I am not going to change.
“When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man. We will talk about that every game that we lose. I don’t believe in that, in the system, or whatever. I believe in my way and I am going to play my way until I want to change.
“My message is that I am going to give everything. I will do everything, always thinking about what is best for the club. That was always the same message. It is not my decision [on whether the manager should be changed]. [As long as] I am here, I will do my best. I really want to win games. I am suffering more than them [the fans].”
Amorim spoke to reporters the day before United’s league game with Burnley and admitted there are times he wants to walk out on the club, only for his mood to change.
“Sometimes I want to quit, sometimes I want to be here for 20 years. Sometimes I love to be with my players, sometimes I don’t want to be with them. So, again, I need to improve on that. It’s going to be hard. But now I’m good with the next one.”
Amorim had made absolutely no secret of his anger at his team’s performance against Grimsby, whether he was speaking to national broadcasters or the club’s own TV channel.
Evidently trying to keep his anger in check, Amorim told ITV that he was “shocked” by what he had seen, and suggested his future was in doubt because “you can feel that something has to change and you are not going to change 22 players again”.
He also seemed to accuse his players of not being up for the fight, or perhaps being incapable of performing to his expectations amid the heavy scrutiny on everything connected to United. “We know that in the moment, people will pay attention to everything, it’s massive — every detail,” he said. “We showed that performance today. My players spoke for me, really loud.”
Ruben Amorim’s domestic record at Manchester United ✍️ pic.twitter.com/KvQznJBlNQ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 28, 2025
Could Ruben Amorim resign?
It has been suggested Amorim could take matters into his own hands at quit United. He’s considered it before.
In an interview conducted during United’s 2025 preseason tour, Amorim confessed there was a time last season when he considered handing in his resignation. After they lost the Europa League final to Tottenham in May, the coach said he would walk away without severance pay if it was felt he was not the right man for the role, saying: “If the board and the fans feel that I am not the right guy, I will go the next day without any conversation about compensation.”
Amorim’s remarks after the Grimsby defeat left some wondering if he may make good on that suggestion and resign. That said, he has previously admitted to letting emotions get the better of him immediately after matches and that he sometimes wished he was more reserved in his comments, so perhaps his outburst should not be taken too seriously.
Ruben Amorim record at Man United
Amorim’s record in nearly 10 months in charge makes for sorry reading. In 38 domestic games (those in the Premier League, Carabao Cup and FA Cup), he has won only 10 times. He has a further eight wins in the Europa League thanks to last season’s run to the final, but his overall win percentage at United is just 36.5% — almost exactly half his win rate at former club Sporting CP.
You can read more in-depth Amorim stats right here. They do not paint a positive picture.
Who could be Man United’s next manager?
United’s INEOS decision-makers certainly do not want to change manager for the second time in less than a year, but there is no doubt that, if they feel it’s necessary, they will act.
The question of where they would turn next is a difficult one. Gareth Southgate is a name often mentioned in connection with United given his links with some of INEOS’ power-brokers, but the club are said to have some doubts over former England boss’ credentials back in club football.
Indykaila claimed United have earmarked Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, as two top candidates to succeed Amorim. Both have Premier League experience and have worked wonders at their current clubs, so the attraction would seem obvious.
Michael Carrick, the former United midfielder and interim manager, has also been linked with the job. Carrick was sacked by Championship side Middlesbrough in June after failing in their promotion push, so he would be a low-cost option, even if only as an interim choice.
Other names thrown around have been linked before, such as Ipswich Town manager and ex-United assistant Kieran McKenna, Real Madrid great Zinedine Zidane, and ex-Barcelona head coach Xavi. None of those feels likely to happen at this stage, though.
