Ruben Amorim is under increasing pressure at Manchester United after a poor start to the season and the Portuguese head coach has been in the headlines for a number of reasons
Ruben Amorim’s turbulent tenure at Manchester United could be nearing its conclusion, according to recent speculation.
The Portuguese manager’s difficult start to the season took another hit last Saturday when United suffered a 3-1 defeat at Brentford. This marked Amorim’s third Premier League loss in the first six matches of the season, and he also saw his side knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town.
The mounting pressure on the 40-year-old, who was appointed just 11 months ago, has led to speculation about potential successors, with names like Andoni Iraola, Xavi, Gareth Southgate and Oliver Glasner being mentioned.
United face another challenging Premier League match against a newly-promoted but formidable Sunderland team this Saturday at Old Trafford. Here’s the latest news concerning the Red Devils.
Amorim admits Zirkzee blunder
Despite previously expressing support for the underperforming forward, Amorim seems to have conceded that United made an error in signing Joshua Zirkzee last year, with reports suggesting the manager is looking to offload the Dutch player.
Zirkzee, 24, joined from Bologna in a £36million deal while Erik ten Hag was still at the helm, reports the Mirror. He had a disappointing debut season, netting just three league goals in 32 appearances, and has found playing time hard to come by under Amorim this season, having started only once.
Despite Zirkzee’s contract not expiring until June 2029, he seems to have caught the eye of Cesc Fabregas’ Como ahead of the January transfer window. Italian outlet Corriere Como reports that the Serie A side, who finished 10th last season and currently sit eighth after five matches, are keen to strike a deal with United.
The report suggests that former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Fabregas is planning to ‘reshape’ his squad in the upcoming transfer window, with Zirkzee being part of those plans. By being willing to let Zirkzee leave, it appears Amorim has lost all confidence in the striker.
Red Devils boss knows ‘it’s nearly game over’
A body language expert believes Amorim is acting like a man who knows his days at Old Trafford are numbered. The head coach has managed a dismal 34 points from 33 matches since taking the reins last November.
His emotions have been plain to see on the touchline, often looking dejected and frustrated week in, week out. Now, body language specialist Darren Stanton has analysed Amorim’s behaviour during the recent Brentford loss and given his opinion on what it reveals about his mindset as he fights to keep his job.
Regarding Amorim’s crouched stance, which he took up at various points, Stanton explained to the Manchester Evening News via OLBG: “Space is very much related to someone’s internal emotion. You can see him crouched down in a foetal position, almost like what a baby does.
“Imagine if someone was about to get beaten up, that’s the first stance they adopt. They go on the ground and put themselves in a foetal position.
“So basically, this is the worst that I’ve seen him. Being crouched down with his hands on his head is the personification of dejection, negativity and feeling really, really bad. Straight away, that image tells me that, emotionally, he’s in the worst place he’s been in since he started the role.”
Amorim was also spotted with his head lowered and his hand placed on the back of his neck. Stanton observed: “That’s the ultimate pacifying gesture as well. The fact that he’s dipped his head down… the more space we occupy, when we want to show pride, our shoulders will be back, we’ll be smiling and our head will be up.
“But with Ruben Amorim, to dip his head down with his hand on the back of his head, again it shows the ultimate dejection and shame.”
Amorim appeared even more despondent whilst seated in the technical area, with Stanton observing: “With Ruben Amorim sat on his seat, it’s like he’s almost praying.
“He’s making himself small and I do believe that, within three to five days, I think he’ll be gone. If I was to give you some expressions that someone could demonstrate where they’re at an ultimate low emotionally, this would be it.”
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