Ruben Amorim insists Sir Jim Ratcliffe is not sharpening the axe despite Manchester United’s worst start to a season in more than three decades.
Ratcliffe arrived at Carrington by helicopter on Thursday for urgent talks with the under pressure manager along with chief executive Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox. The minority owner wanted answers after United’s dismal return of four points from four Premier League matches and a humiliating Carabao Cup exit at the hands of Grimsby Town.
The Portuguese coach tried to laugh off the situation when quizzed about the meeting. “He offered me a new contract,” Amorim joked before adding more seriously “It was a normal conversation. He showed support and reminded us it is a long project. We have had several meetings like this. Omar Jason and Sir Jim all spoke about what we must do. It is normal in a club with as much pressure as this. Everyone wants to win.”
Amorim now faces a huge test at Old Trafford on Saturday when United host Chelsea with the atmosphere around the club at boiling point. Defeat in the derby last weekend has piled on the scrutiny and sections of the fanbase are already questioning whether the former Sporting boss can handle the job.
The manager however insists performances have not been as bad as the results suggest. “Last year I was very critical of the way we played,” he said. “I think we are playing well until the boxes. Defending and attacking we need to be more aggressive in both boxes. We must be more clinical. We are in a better place compared to last year but we need to turn that into wins.”
Ratcliffe is said to be prepared to show patience but his helicopter visit underlines the seriousness of the situation. United have not looked this fragile so early in a season since the dark days of the early nineties. Another slip against Chelsea and Amorim’s assurances of backing may not sound so convincing.
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