Manchester United are said to have decided to keep faith with boss Ruben Amorim even if they lose the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur on May 21.
The Red Devils were beaten 2-0 by West Ham United last Sunday, with their defeat the 17th time they have lost in the Premier League this term.
United’s poor domestic performances have contrasted significantly with their displays in Europe given they have not lost any of their 14 matches in the Europa League, drawing five and winning nine.
However, pressure has mounted on Amorim despite the fact his side will qualify for the Champions League if they emerge as victors against Spurs in the final of the competition next week.
The Guardian report that the club’s hierarchy have decided against parting ways with the Portuguese coach, even if he oversees a loss in the final.
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A repeat of last season’s mistakes?
Amorim deserves some leniency considering he only took charge of the Red Devils in November 2024, inheriting a disjointed and dysfunctional group from previous boss Erik ten Hag.
The 40-year-old was only afforded one signing in the January transfer window, with wing-back Patrick Dorgu joining his squad, though Antony and Marcus Rashford both left on loan in the winter.
While many of the issues in the current squad are not down to the current manager, his rigid playstyle has not benefitted many of the players at his disposal, and the fact United could finish as low as 17th cannot be overlooked.
Since co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe took over football operations at the club, he has stressed the importance of making smarter decisions off the pitch in order to see the rewards on it.
If he keeps Amorim in post, Ratcliffe must be confident that the Portuguese is the right man for the job as he otherwise risks repeating the same mistake he made with Ten Hag.
Ten Hag was under pressure at the end of the 2023-24 season but winning the FA Cup final against Manchester City reportedly helped save his job, with the Dutchman then given significant funds in the summer of 2024 only to be sacked in October.
It could be dangerous for the club’s long-term health if Amorim is allocated funds only to be dismissed given that that money could be of significant benefit to a different manager.
