Ruben Amorim Man United sack latest - next job claims, club denial, agent 'contact'

Manchester United update as we take a look at the latest surrounding head coach Ruben Amorim

Defeat to Manchester City in the derby has piled more pressure on Ruben Amorim's job at Manchester United.

United have managed just one win from their opening four matches in the Premier League this season and currently sit 14th, only a point clear of the relegation zone. Their performances, however, have come under growing criticism.

Up next is a clash with Chelsea, and just over a month into the season, the Reds are already under pressure to turn their results around.

With that said, the Manchester Evening News Sport has taken a look at the latest rumours surrounding the Portuguese boss.

What Amorim has said

Following the defeat to local rivals, City, Amorim insisted he would not change his formation. "It's not a record that you should have in Manchester United," he said in his post-match press conference.

"There are a lot of things that you have no idea what happened during these months, but I accept that. But I'm not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change.

"If not, you have to change the man. So, we'll talk about that every game, every game that we lose. ‘I don't believe in that, in the system’, or whatever. So, I play my way and I'm going to play my way until I want to change."

Amorim added: "My message is that I'm going to give everything. I will do everything, always thinking about what is best for the club. That was always the same message. And then, it's not my decision, the rest. So, until I'm here, I will do my best. I really want to win games, so I'm suffering more than them."

Amorim 'considered' by Portuguese giants

In his homeland, Amorim is widely regarded as one of the game's top managers, having restored Sporting Clube de Portugal's European status and ended their Liga Portugal title drought of almost 20 years before succeeding Erik ten Hag at United. Now, Sporting's rivals Benfica are reportedly keeping a close eye on his situation in Manchester.

Benfica are set to hold elections for a new president next month and one of the candidates, Joao Noronha Lopes, reportedly already has Amorim on his list of potential managers. Portuguese newspaper A Bola claims Lopes and former Portugal international Nuno Gomes, who is running for vice-president, were at the Etihad Stadium because of this.

According to the newspaper, Gomes was asked during his campaign in Evora whether Amorim might become Benfica's new coach and he is believed to have suggested that it was possible. A Bola also notes that Noronha Lopes confirmed he has a contract ready for Manchester City star Bernardo Silva in an attempt to bring him back to Estadio da Luz.

Rumours addressed

Upon their return to Lisbon, Noronha Lopes and Gomes were quizzed about the latest rumours. Noronha Lopes explained: "We went to Manchester to watch the derby, and when we are together, we take the time to have meetings and prepare the future of Benfica.

"We didn't meet up with Bernardo Silva or Ruben Amorim after the game. I want to bring to Benfica a winning culture, which has talent, dedication and people who know how to win."

When quizzed if he would like to see Amorim as manager of Benfica in the near future, Noronha Lopes added: "Ruben is under contract with Manchester United and I won't comment on that."

Meanwhile, Gomes denied that their trip to Manchester had anything to do with the United manager. "I don't want to speak about that, I'm a friend of Ruben Amorim, and he has a contract with Manchester United," he added.

"We watched the game, Joao [Noronha Lopes] is a passionate football fan and I enjoyed this experience with him."

It wasn’t the first time he had been asked about Amorim. Last weekend, he stated: "I can't answer that question at the moment but I'm sure that Amorim will be the manager of Benfica, one day."

Man United stance

On Monday, the Manchester Evening News reported that the club hierarchy continues to back Amorim despite United's worst start to a season in 33 years. A source close to Amorim admits it is 'incredible' that his position is not under genuine threat despite 16 defeats in the 31 league matches.

Amorim, 40, is under contract at United until 2027.

Gary Neville verdict

United legend turned pundit Gary Neville has admitted that he is ‘worried’ about the team's future in the next few weeks amid growing pressure on Amorim.

"Ruben Amorim is going to come under big pressure, he’s going to come under big pressure, Manchester United are 14th in the league," he said. "It’s only a few games in, it’s four games in, but next week, if Manchester United lose and they go and they go to 15th or 16th and it’s five games in, before you know it we’re in October and Manchester United are in the bottom half of the table and that’s where they couldn’t be, having spent £200 million, with him having a pre-season.

"They might be seventh, eighth, ninth, they could be in those types of positions, but they can’t be in the bottom half of the table, so there’s got to be a turnaround pretty quickly, and the manager’s idea has got to land very quickly with the players. I’m not saying here today that there’s any suggestion that the players have downed tools on him, they’ve not, but they’re struggling a little bit, they’re struggling, they’re struggling against Burnley at home, they’re struggling against Fulham away in large parts, they’re struggling at Grimsby, they struggled here today. They’re struggling with it, they’re struggling to find rhythm, to find tempo, to find performance levels.

"I was really heartened by the first game of the season against Arsenal. I thought it was a really good performance, but maybe that was that they’d had a good pre-season. Maybe now Cunha gets injured, Mount gets injured, the old wounds are starting to open up, and I’m worried. I’m worried about the manager, worried about what’s going to happen in this next few weeks. I don’t think it’s a time for panic, but I’ve seen this before. We’ve seen this film."

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