Ruben Amorim still retains the backing of the Manchester United board but looks set to be offered an escape route from Old Trafford.
Amorim’s job is under huge scrutiny after the Premier League giants were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town.
United fell two goals behind in the primary half of Wednesday’s cup game before scoring two late goals to send the second-round tie to penalties.
But it surely was the League Two side who advanced courtesy of a 12-11 win within the shootout to seal an enormous upset and lift further questions on Amorim’s future.
Manchester United finished just fifteenth within the Premier League last season and didn’t qualify for Europe after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham.
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A promising summer window gave United fans cause for optimism however the Red Devils were then beaten on the opening day by Arsenal before only drawing 1-1 with Fulham last weekend.
An embarrassing defeat to Grimsby was arguably the club’s nadir since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.
Despite losing to a League Two side, Manchester United are still backing Amorim to show things around, in response to The Times.
Some fans want Amorim gone however the ex-Sporting Lisbon manager still has the backing of the club’s board, including co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe is ready to offer Amorim more time, though that patience will likely be put to the test if Manchester United proceed to struggle in the approaching weekend.
Because of this Amorim will still be in command of the side on Saturday when United face Premier League new-boys Burnley in a must-win match at Old Trafford.
The following international break will give Amorim a probability to reflect on the opening weeks of the 2025-26 campaign before United face two tricky games against Manchester City and Chelsea.
While Amorim still has the backing of his bosses, The Times say he may very well be offered an escape route by one other of his former clubs, Benfica.
Amorim is thought for his time in command of Sporting, where he won two league titles, but he also enjoyed a successful playing profession at Benfica, lifting three league titles with the club.
Joao Noronha Lopes, who intends to develop into the brand new Benfica president, is believed to be a ‘big fan’ of Amorim and would like to bring him back to the club.
Benfica are holding their presidential elections in October and Lopes is one in all five candidates hoping to unseat current occupant Rui Costa.
More to follow…
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