🔗 Share this article

Ruben Amorim has made it clear that he will not step down from his role despite the team's ongoing struggles, but he concedes that he faces dismissal should results do not improve.

Present Struggles and Table Position

Amorim has collected just 34 points in his 33 top-flight games, with the club currently sitting in 14th place in the table after finishing 15th finish last season. United have secured only two wins in their opening seven games this season, including an early League Cup defeat against Grimsby and last weekend's defeat against Brentford FC. This outcome prolonged Amorim's search to secure his first consecutive league victories after arriving 11 months previously.

This Saturday, Sunderland will visit Old Trafford, where a further loss would heighten scrutiny on the Portuguese coach.

The Manager's Stance on Resignation

Questioned on if he would consider resigning, he responded: “No, that's the call of the board. I cannot do that. At times I get that feeling and defeat is hard, failing to build the momentum. It’s deeply disappointing after building that momentum, heading into the next game, something happens. That emotion sometimes hurts me deeply. It impacts the players and above all the coaching team at the club. Yet it isn't my decision and I believe it'd be extremely difficult to leave if I don’t do everything to follow my path here.”

“It’s an honor to be here and I want to stay at the club and I want to battle for this. But the issue at present that causes me suffer is to lose games, not to lose my job. You worry about losing your job when you need to pay the bills but I don't have that feeling.”

Defending His 3-4-3 Tactics

The 40-year-old additionally launched an impassioned defence of his 3-4-3 system, which has come under fire of much criticism. The coach has used the formation consistently and it is so far failed to provide steady results craved.

“No one here is naive,” he commented. “We know that the team need results to advance the project. We will get to a stage that is impossible for all involved since United is a massive club with a lot of sponsors, with two owners. So it’s hard, the balance is really hard. My aim is to see my team – in victory or defeat – performing consistently and we are failing to do so.”

Amorim pointed out that the team had played in different systems under previous managers, also to no avail. “We need perform with consistency, with the same power, with the same energy, with the same focus. If we do that, it doesn’t matter what the system is.”

Plans Regarding Winter Friendlies

Amorim confirmed plans to play high-revenue winter exhibition games to help increase funds lost by not qualifying for European competition. “We have to organize these as we anticipated after missing out on European football,” he explained. “We have our fans and our budget and we want to be with our fans around the world.”

Memorial for Synagogue Incident

United will hold a moment of silence this weekend with the squad sporting black armbands in tribute following the terrorist attack at a Manchester synagogue on Thursday. Local rivals City will also pay respects for their league and Women’s Super League fixtures over the coming days.