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Ruben Amorim given ultimatum over Man United future as Sir Jim Ratcliffe issues strict demand
Ruben Amorim has been tasked with qualifying for European football this season, talkSPORT understands. Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe flew into the club’s Carrington training ground on Thursday and stressed to Amorim the need for on-field results to improve. Ruben Amorim is yet to put his stamp on his Man United teamGetty Following a 3-0 Manchester derby defeat on Sunday, the Red Devils have won just one of five matches across all competitions. It follows their worst season in Premier League history last term, as United finished 15th with just 42 points. This included defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final, meaning they missed out on European football for the first time in 11 years. Despite this, Ratcliffe believes the United squad assembled is capable of a top-five finish, although Champions League is not the stated or budgeted goal for 2025/26. However, returning to some form of European football is seen as essential by the United hierarchy. Is Ruben Amorim’s job at risk? United’s board continue to back Amorim, who is under growing pressure following their disappointing derby loss. Ratcliffe did not schedule any crisis talks, with his Carrington meetings billed as pre-planned and not specifically framed around Amorim’s future. It is noted by sources that Ratcliffe’s presence at Carrington is not unusual. The Portuguese, who speaks often and freely with the INEOS chief, is understood to have reiterated his public comments that he has no plans to change his system. Since his appointment in November 2024, Amorim has persisted with a 3-4-3 formation, despite his players clearly struggling to get to grips with it. Sir Jim Ratcliffe was in attendance for United’s derby defeat on Sunday Amorim’s Premier League record at United is a sorry state However, the 40-year-old has publicly stated he does not believe the system is the problem. “There are a lot of things, you have no idea what happened during these months but I am not going to change,” said Amorim after the loss to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. “When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man.” What did Ratcliffe say to Amorim in their meeting? Ruben Amorim certainly seemed relaxed about his future when he was asked about his meeting with the United minority stakeholder. In his press conference ahead of his side’s clash with Chelsea on Saturday, the coach joked: “He offered me a new contract! “No, it was normal things just to show the support, explain it’s a long season. This is a club with more pressure maybe than any in the world. United remain a shadow of their former title-winning selvesGetty “Last year I was very critical of the way we played. Now I think we are playing well until the [penalty] boxes. We need to be more clinical. We are in a better place compared to last year but we need to win.” Are Man United considering replacements for Amorim? As yet, Man United have not approached any other managerial candidates. Many of the names appreciated by the club formed part of the original process to replace Erik ten Hag last season. Gareth Southgate, Andoni Iraola and Mauricio Pochettino were all discussed at the time, as was now Spurs manager Thomas Frank, Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna and even PSG head coach Luis Enrique. Meanwhile, sources have firmly denied suggestions Michael Carrick has been sounded out to replace Amorim in case a mid-season change is made, or that Jose Mourinho was considered prior to his Benfica move. talkSPORT has been told the Manchester United dressing room remains largely behind Amorim. GettyBruno Fernandes has struggled in a deeper role, despite leading the way in goal involvements last season[/caption] Senior players, including Harry Maguire, have made it clear to the group the squad is underperforming. Amorim is yet to get the best out of his new £200million attack, but a hamstring injury to Matheus Cunha and an acclimatisation period for Benjamin Sesko are both viewed as mitigating factors. In a boost to United, it has been confirmed Cunha will be in their squad against Chelsea on Saturday after missing almost a month out, with Mason Mount also back from injury. Beyond this, Amorim needs to find a way to get the best out of captain Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role, while chemistry in the final third is still lacking. Amorim also wanted a ball-winning midfielder over the summer but Brighton made it clear Carlos Baleba was not for sale, with Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler admitting the 21-year-old had his head turned by the transfer links. Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte continue to get significant minutes, but Kobbie Mainoo is struggling for opportunities and could yet leave the club in 2026. With Fernandes also still on Saudi Arabia’s radar next summer, it remains for possible two new
Ruben Amorim has been tasked with qualifying for European football this season, talkSPORT understands.
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe flew into the club’s Carrington training ground on Thursday and stressed to Amorim the need for on-field results to improve.
Following a 3-0 Manchester derby defeat on Sunday, the Red Devils have won just one of five matches across all competitions.
It follows their worst season in Premier League history last term, as United finished 15th with just 42 points.
This included defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final, meaning they missed out on European football for the first time in 11 years.
Despite this, Ratcliffe believes the United squad assembled is capable of a top-five finish, although Champions League is not the stated or budgeted goal for 2025/26.
However, returning to some form of European football is seen as essential by the United hierarchy.
Is Ruben Amorim’s job at risk?
United’s board continue to back Amorim, who is under growing pressure following their disappointing derby loss.
Ratcliffe did not schedule any crisis talks, with his Carrington meetings billed as pre-planned and not specifically framed around Amorim’s future.
It is noted by sources that Ratcliffe’s presence at Carrington is not unusual.
The Portuguese, who speaks often and freely with the INEOS chief, is understood to have reiterated his public comments that he has no plans to change his system.
Since his appointment in November 2024, Amorim has persisted with a 3-4-3 formation, despite his players clearly struggling to get to grips with it.
However, the 40-year-old has publicly stated he does not believe the system is the problem.
“There are a lot of things, you have no idea what happened during these months but I am not going to change,” said Amorim after the loss to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
“When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man.”
What did Ratcliffe say to Amorim in their meeting?
Ruben Amorim certainly seemed relaxed about his future when he was asked about his meeting with the United minority stakeholder.
In his press conference ahead of his side’s clash with Chelsea on Saturday, the coach joked: “He offered me a new contract!
“No, it was normal things just to show the support, explain it’s a long season. This is a club with more pressure maybe than any in the world.
“Last year I was very critical of the way we played. Now I think we are playing well until the [penalty] boxes. We need to be more clinical. We are in a better place compared to last year but we need to win.”
Are Man United considering replacements for Amorim?
As yet, Man United have not approached any other managerial candidates.
Many of the names appreciated by the club formed part of the original process to replace Erik ten Hag last season.
Gareth Southgate, Andoni Iraola and Mauricio Pochettino were all discussed at the time, as was now Spurs manager Thomas Frank, Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna and even PSG head coach Luis Enrique.
Meanwhile, sources have firmly denied suggestions Michael Carrick has been sounded out to replace Amorim in case a mid-season change is made, or that Jose Mourinho was considered prior to his Benfica move.
talkSPORT has been told the Manchester United dressing room remains largely behind Amorim.
Senior players, including Harry Maguire, have made it clear to the group the squad is underperforming.
Amorim is yet to get the best out of his new £200million attack, but a hamstring injury to Matheus Cunha and an acclimatisation period for Benjamin Sesko are both viewed as mitigating factors.
In a boost to United, it has been confirmed Cunha will be in their squad against Chelsea on Saturday after missing almost a month out, with Mason Mount also back from injury.
Beyond this, Amorim needs to find a way to get the best out of captain Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role, while chemistry in the final third is still lacking.
Amorim also wanted a ball-winning midfielder over the summer but Brighton made it clear Carlos Baleba was not for sale, with Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler admitting the 21-year-old had his head turned by the transfer links.
Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte continue to get significant minutes, but Kobbie Mainoo is struggling for opportunities and could yet leave the club in 2026.
With Fernandes also still on Saudi Arabia’s radar next summer, it remains for possible two new midfielders arrive ahead of next season.
Man United’s leadership are keen not to make another managerial change, and a win against Chelsea would be a welcome boost for Amorim, who is facing the most difficult spell of his managerial career so far.
