Ruben Amorim has cast doubt on his future at Manchester United following their 2-0 defeat to West Ham at Old Trafford, a result that has left him disillusioned with his team’s performance. The manager, who has overseen a significant slump in United’s form this season, voiced his frustration, saying that if the team continues to play in such a manner next season, it may be time for a change in leadership. Amorim also hinted that the club’s culture and mentality are major concerns, highlighting that a failure to address these issues could result in him stepping down from his role.
Reflecting on the team’s current state, Amorim pointed to a lack of urgency, particularly in their defensive play. He noted that the squad no longer seems afraid of losing, a mentality he believes is dangerous for a club of Manchester United’s stature. Amorim emphasized that big clubs must always have a sense of urgency and should never take losing lightly. His frustration was evident as he described his team as “patternless and pathetic,” particularly in the wake of another lackluster display that has left the club languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
This defeat marks a significant low point for United, with the club now sitting 17th in the league, only narrowly above the relegation zone. The loss to West Ham was their 17th in the Premier League this season, with 13 of those defeats coming under Amorim’s management. The match saw Tomas Soucek score the opening goal in the 26th minute, following a clever backheel that beat goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. United’s struggles continued after the break, with Jarrod Bowen adding a second for West Ham, further highlighting the disarray at Old Trafford.
Amorim’s comments about United’s potential participation in next season’s Champions League were particularly striking. The manager questioned whether the team even deserved to play in Europe’s elite competition, suggesting that if the team did not change its approach and perform with the necessary urgency, they should not compete in the Champions League. He stressed that the focus should be on improving performance week by week, starting with their upcoming game against Chelsea. Amorim expressed concern that the team’s current state was so far from being competitive in the Premier League and Champions League that aiming for such lofty goals seemed unrealistic.
The match itself offered little in the way of inspiration for United fans. Both teams played at a slow pace, with neither side creating much danger in the first half. However, the few moments of quality that emerged were largely in West Ham’s favor. Bruno Fernandes had two good opportunities for United but blasted both efforts over the bar, while Amad Diallo showed some individual skill but was denied by West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola.
Despite making some changes to the lineup, including dropping regular goalkeeper André Onana in favor of Altay Bayindir, Amorim’s side continued to struggle. Their inability to defend effectively was evident in the lead-up to West Ham’s second goal, where United’s lack of defensive intensity allowed Bowen to score with ease after a poor giveaway in midfield.
Injuries compounded United’s misery, with Leny Yoro limping off the field during the match. Amorim seemed uncertain about the severity of the injury but confirmed that the player would be assessed further. The result leaves United with just one more match before their Europa League final against Tottenham, and Amorim knows that drastic improvement is needed if they are to have any chance of success on the European stage.
As West Ham secured a crucial victory to end their own winless run, Amorim was left to contemplate the serious challenges facing United as they try to turn their fortunes around. With the club’s future in the balance, Amorim’s own position could hinge on how they perform in the coming weeks, starting with their trip to Chelsea and their crucial Europa League final.
