Ruben Amorim's Man Utd ultimatum after making fresh sack admission

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim set himself a two-year ultimatum to prove he is the right man for the job when he took over from Erik ten Hag. The Portuguese finds himself under pressure less than a year in, having taken just 31 points from 31 games.

On Sunday, Amorim's United underwhelmed in a 3-0 defeat away to Manchester City. Questions continue to be asked about the former Sporting CP boss, and his comments from the week he took charge have now come back into focus.

“In two years you will understand if I am the right man to be in this process," Amorim said in November 2024. “In two years you can understand if you want to continue on this path or you want to change.

He urged patience at the time, adding: "I know at Manchester United we have to win games. We need a lot of time because it's a tough league, we have to improve a lot to try to win the title.

"We have to change the physical aspect of the team. I don’t know how long it will take," he said, and at the time was some weeks out from his first transfer window at the helm.

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There were some positives in Amorim's first season, not least the run to the final of the Europa League. United fell short in Bilbao, though, meaning they have to do without European football this term.

He has been backed in the transfer market, adding £200million worth of attacking talent in the form of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. However, after defeat at the Etihad Stadium left his side with four points from four games, he insisted he won't move away from his principles and recognised the final say on United's managerial situation isn't down to him and told the higher-ups that - if they want to change the style of play - they'll also need to appoint a new manager.

"When I want to change my philosophy, I will change. If not, you have to change the man," Amorim said. "We will talk about that every game that we lose. I don't believe in that, in the system, or whatever. I believe in my way and I am going to play my way until I want to change.

"My message is that I am going to give everything. I will do everything, always thinking about what is best for the club. That was always the same message. It is not my decision, the rest (on whether United change manager). Until I am here, I will do my best. I really want to win games. I am suffering more than them."

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