Sir Jim Ratcliffe Stands By Ruben Amorim as Man Utd Struggles Continue With Brentford Defeat

Ruben Amorim insists he is not worried about his job at Manchester United despite another setback that wiped away the optimism of last week’s victory over Chelsea.

United were beaten 3-1 at Brentford on Saturday, leaving them stuck in the bottom half of the Premier League and without back-to-back league wins under Amorim. The result adds to a worrying pattern of inconsistency that has followed the Portuguese coach since his arrival last November.

United’s Inconsistency Exposed Again

The win over Chelsea had raised hopes that United were finally turning a corner. Instead, they fell back into old habits at Brentford, conceding twice inside the opening 20 minutes to goals from Igor Thiago. Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire were both caught out in poor defensive positions, while goalkeeper Altay Bayindir’s fumble gifted Brentford another chance.

Although United briefly threatened a comeback, Brentford kept control and punished the visitors’ mistakes, securing a well-deserved victory.

Amorim admitted afterwards that the game went exactly as Brentford had planned – and frustratingly, exactly how United had prepared for during the week.

“The goals today, we worked on during the week. That is frustrating,” Amorim told BBC Match of the Day. “I see the guys in training, but in the games, when things are really hard, they are not the same. That is the pressure of the club.”

Backing From Ratcliffe – For Now

Despite the growing noise around Amorim’s future, Manchester United officials remain firm in their stance that he will be given time. Sources close to the club insist minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is backing the 40-year-old and wants to judge him on a full season with the squad he has shaped.

Suggestions of replacement shortlists have been strongly dismissed by the club, who believe chopping and changing managers has already damaged long-term progress.

Amorim himself appeared unfazed by the speculation: “I am never concerned about my job – I am not that kind of guy. It is not my decision. I will do the best I can every minute I am here.”

Players Defend the Manager

After the game, de Ligt came to his manager’s defence, insisting the players must take responsibility for performances.

“It’s always easy to look to the manager, but in the end the players on the pitch have to do it,” said the Dutch defender.

Club captain Bruno Fernandes also came under scrutiny after missing his second penalty in three attempts this season. His miss added to United’s frustrations and highlighted the lack of composure in key moments.

Critics Line Up Against Amorim

While the club may be backing him, several high-profile pundits believe Amorim is already running out of time.

Alan Shearer claimed Amorim is “under massive pressure” and “very fortunate” to still be in the job.

Martin Keown pointed out that Amorim’s win percentage is only 1% higher than Graham Potter’s – who was sacked by Chelsea – and questioned why United have stuck with him.

Ashley Williams suggested United must adapt rather than stick with a failing system: “I don’t want to say they change manager, but how long can this continue? It seems to be every week we’re talking about it.”

Micah Richards criticised Amorim’s stubbornness: “Being so stubborn in what he’s trying to do could be the undoing of him down the line.”

System Under the Spotlight

At the heart of the debate is Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation. Critics say it leaves United too vulnerable, particularly when they concede first – something they have done more than any other Premier League team since Amorim took over.

Brentford boss Keith Andrews highlighted the contrast after the game. He switched from a five-man defence to a back four, saying it gave his team “a better base and fluidity in midfield.” That flexibility paid off as his side exploited United’s wide defensive gaps.

Amorim, though, defended his approach, even with a hint of sarcasm: “When we win, it’s not the system. When we lose, it’s the system. I understand that.”

Stats Paint a Grim Picture

Since taking charge, Amorim has managed just 34 points from 33 league games. United remain without an away league win in their last eight attempts – their worst run since 2019.

They have also struggled to build momentum, failing to win successive league matches under the Portuguese boss. With Sunderland next at Old Trafford, followed by tougher fixtures, the pressure is unlikely to ease soon.

Amorim has spoken of “ups and downs” and the difficulty of building momentum at United. But while the club hierarchy continues to show patience, the fans and pundits are losing theirs.

For now, Amorim survives. But as United drift further from the top, stubborn tactics, missed penalties, and repeated defensive errors could yet define his reign – unless results change fast.