Man Utd believe Ruben Amorim could quit as senior stars left upset at tactics

Bruno Fernandes’ late penalty secured Manchester United a dramatic victory over Burnley but doubts still remain if Ruben Amorim will see out the season as pressure grows

Manchester United hierarchy continue to harbour concerns that Ruben Amorim might QUIT – despite witnessing his side snatch a crucial victory against Burnley courtesy of skipper Bruno Fernandes’ stoppage-time spot-kick. United claimed their maiden triumph of the campaign in a thrilling conclusion just as the newly-promoted Clarets appeared poised to inflict another crushing blow on the embattled manager.

Red Devils executives remain unwavering in their conviction that Amorim can reverse the team’s fortunes. However, the 40 year old must address the unpredictable conduct that has emerged as a source of worry.

Speculation was widespread throughout Old Trafford following the shocking Carabao Cup elimination at Grimsby on Wednesday evening that Amorim might be prepared to depart during the international interval irrespective of the outcome against Burnley. That possibility may have diminished temporarily after the lift provided by a thrilling maiden victory of the new campaign.

Yet Amorim commented: “I’m not thinking about a turning point. I’ve had this conversation with you guys like 10 times. It’s day by day. I’m happy. We returned a little bit to our level today.

“If you take away Wednesday, we are more consistent in the performance compared to last year. That’s a good thing.”, reports the Mirror.

Several established players have grown frustrated with Amorim’s unwavering dedication to the tactical system that brought him such success at Sporting Lisbon but doesn’t suit the characteristics of his Manchester squad. He has upset others with his tendency to air criticisms publicly that they believe should remain behind closed doors.

Following the loss at Blundell Park, he confessed that he sometimes despised his players. Amorim has also been unafraid to express his reservations about whether he suits the role.

Warning signs began flashing in the boardroom during May when Amorim declared he would be willing to depart United without pursuing a compensation deal if he believed his exit would serve both his interests and the club’s.

Following the Burnley victory, he emerged to support goalkeeper Altay Bayindir after the Turkish international’s recent error enabled Jaidon Anthony to net the Clarets’ second leveller.

Amorim remarked: “Yes, in some moments [I hate the players]. But when they put in the effort, I will always love them. We need to understand that we should have always been on this level of effort.

“We played well in the beginning. When the match was not so perfect, you can feel that the team struggled a little bit – but the effort was always there.

“Guys, they are humans. Everybody talks about the goalkeeper. But I think it’s hard to be a Manchester United goalkeeper in this moment.

“The players are struggling a little bit with all the things around the club. That is normal. So it’s not just the goalkeepers. Everybody has to improve.”

United believe they have given Amorim full support – both in terms of transfer funds and by removing high-profile players such as Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia from his squad.