Ruben Amorim’s future in peril as INEOS draw up replacement list | OneFootball

A week can be a lifetime in football – and the prospect of Ruben Amorim’s imminent doom as Manchester United head coach is testament to that.

Last Thursday, United were preparing to face Fulham at Craven Cottage fresh from a disappointing, but very encouraging, 1-0 loss to Arsenal on the opening day of the season.

The Red Devils thoroughly outplayed Mikel Arteta’s side at Old Trafford and, if not for the incompetent hand of Altay Bayindir, they should have come away with at least a point, if not all three.

The phrase, “Can a loss be a win?” is an odd one applied outside of sport. But within the context of professional football, a performance is as, if not more, important than a result at times – and that was certainly the case in the aftermath of the defeat to Arsenal.

Fans were imbued with a sense of progress; a halt to the dismal decline of last year and a hike in expectation as to what this season may bring.

From Hero to Zero

Fast forward seven days, United have endured a disappointing draw against Fulham in which many of the fragilities of Amorim’s debut campaign were brought back into stark focus, followed by an almost incomprehensible defeat against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.

Giant killings in the cup are a part of English football folklore. To fall foul of one is rare but virtually every top club has suffered the ignominy of a defeat at the hands of a side from the depths of the football pyramid.

Few clubs with the prestige and wealth of United have been so soundly beaten by a team from League Two, however.

The Mariners completely outplayed their more expensively assembled opponents, quickly establishing a 2-0 lead which they held for the majority of a brutally wet evening at Blundell Park. They also had two goals disallowed (one incorrectly) to further demonstrate their dominance.

United fought back in the closing stage of the game to draw level, courtesy of goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire.

But the Red Devils succumbed to a well-deserved defeat on penalties after a marathon sudden death, which saw both goalkeepers convert from the spot kick, before Mbeumo’s decisive miss to send Grimsby through to the third round.

Amorim refused to watch the penalty shoot out, instead choosing to stay sat on the bench with his head down and eyes closed at times. His post-match interviews did little to dispel the overriding sense of anger and disappointment he felt towards his players.

“I think the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch. The best players lose because one team can win against any group of players, and I think the team and the players spoke really loud today, so that’s it. We lost, the best team won.

“I think that is the problem. When you lose but see something new, it’s different. When you see something like today, it’s hard to talk about that. I just want to say I’m really sorry for the fans.

“The support they gave me, the support that with all the support they help the team. I have nothing to say. I’m really sorry,” the Portuguese coach stated.

Amorim is famed for wearing his heart on his sleeve – and he is fiercely self-critical. At points last season, the club’s executive structure had to step in to prevent their coach from clicking the self-destruct button on his time at Old Trafford.

But the nature of this defeat – a loss against opposition United should never lose to, perpetrated by a group of players who looked apathetic and clueless in equal measure – is one which raise questions for even the most secure manager.

It would not surprise this writer if Amorim used last night’s display as evidence for why he is not the right candidate for the job, or at least not the miracle worker some of these players so clearly need to guide them.

And, according to a report from CaughtOffside, INEOS appear sensitive to this prospect as well, with the club drawing up a list of potential replacements should Amorim decide ‘enough is enough’.

Two Candidates in the Premier League

CaughtOffside reveals INEOS have a “shortlist in place if they end up making the decision to sack Amorim.”

Two of the names on the list are Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola – managers who have impressed in the Premier League since arriving in England at their respective clubs.

The report states “Glasner is the name currently being talked about the most within the board room and our understanding is that Glasner would be delighted with the opportunity to take the job at Old Trafford once it is available.”

Palace line up in an identical system – 3-4-2-1 – to the one Amorim has been seeking, unsuccessfully so far, to implement at Old Trafford, and this tactical continuity would help with the transition from one manager to another mid-season.

CaughtOffside’s report portrays Amorim’s departure as “inevitable” at this stage.

“‘As one well-placed source put it: ‘The question is when not if Ruben Amorim leaves Manchester United in months to come.’ Another confirmed that INEOS would ‘not be afraid of taking the decision early if needed’.”

From hope and optimism last week to thunder and doom this week. Seven days really is a lifetime in football.

Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images

online polls

Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social