In the corridors of Manchester United, the air is thick with anticipation as whispers suggest Gareth Southgate could potentially assume managerial duties should Ruben Amorim be shown the exit. Reports indicate that the Red Devils have already sketched out potential replacements for Amorim following a dismal start to the season.
Having staggered to a 15th place finish in the Premier League last term, and suffering defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, the absence of European football looms large over Old Trafford. With a significant outlay of £200 million on their attacking line-up, including the acquisitions of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo, much is expected of the team this season. Yet, United have only managed to secure one point from their encounters with Arsenal and Fulham, and were unceremoniously dumped out of the League Cup by League Two’s Grimsby Town.
Rumblings from within suggest that Amorim’s tenure is hanging by a thread, with United searching for a ‘reliable replacement’ before giving him the sack. According to GiveMeSport, plans to replace Amorim have already been ‘leaked’, with his sacking deemed ‘inevitable’.
A shortlist is purportedly in place, featuring names such as Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola. Gareth Southgate is also a contender, though there are concerns within the United hierarchy about potential fan backlash should the former England manager be appointed. A source cited by Caught Offside hinted that Amorim’s exit is a matter of ‘when, not if’, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS prepared to take decisive action.
In candid commentary, former United chief scout Mick Brown, retaining strong ties with the club, described a potential loss against Burnley as disastrous for Amorim. Speaking to Football Insider, Brown highlighted the intense pressure Amorim is under after mediocre results, despite the substantial summer investment. The spectre of another poor showing against Burnley could exacerbate the mounting scrutiny.
With United already languishing at an uncomfortable position in the early league tables, and the fanbase restless, Amorim faces an uphill battle to rejuvenate both morale and results to stave off what seems an increasingly likely dismissal. As the situation at Old Trafford unfolds, the spotlight is firmly on whether Amorim can rally the troops or if Manchester United will indeed ring in a new era with a fresh managerial face on the touchline.
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