Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has given Ruben Amorim his full backing amid speculation over the Portuguese coach’s future at the club.
The 72-year-old, who bought a minority stake in the Premier League giants in February last year, has insisted that he is not planning on succumbing to outside influence urging Amorim out of the door.
Speaking to Times Radio’s new ‘The Business’ podcast, Ratcliffe said: ‘(Amorim) has not had the best of seasons. Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be.’
The Portuguese boss has had a difficult start to life in Manchester since joining from Sporting Lisbon just under a year ago. United are currently 10th in the Premier League, having won three, drawn one and lost three matches in the top flight so far this campaign.
Their most humbling result this season was their second round elimination from the Carabao Cup by League Two Grimsby Town – losing 12-11 on penalties.
Ratcliffe continued: ‘The press, sometimes I don’t understand. They want overnight success. They think it’s a light switch. You know, you flick a switch and it’s all going to be roses tomorrow.
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has given Ruben Amorim his full backing amid speculation over the Portuguese coach’s future at the club
The Portuguese boss has had a difficult start to life in Manchester since joining from Sporting Lisbon just under a year ago, with United currently 10th in the Premier League
United are currently 10th in the Premier League, having won three, drawn one and lost three matches in the top flight so far this campaign
‘You can’t run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week.’
His comments – revealed on X by journalist Fabrizio Romano this evening – come off the back of Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher claiming it is ‘inevitable’ that the 40-year-old will be sacked from his job before Christmas.
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet, Carragher said: ‘I don’t like saying a manager should be sacked – it’s disrespectful and it’s a man’s job – but I’m at that point where I do think Ruben Amorim’s job is untenable.
‘It’s inevitable that this is going to happen before Christmas. His stats are unbelievable for a Manchester United manager – 50 games as Manchester United manager, he’s only scored two more goals than he’s conceded.’
But Ratcliffe now appears to be doubling down on his appointment, adding that if the Glazer family – the majority stakeholders of the club – asked him to be sacked, he said: ‘It’s not going to happen’.
