Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim said on Sunday that criticism from former players is inevitable because the club is underachieving, as his side prepare to face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Monday knowing a win would keep them in the top six for a second successive week.
Such a scenario would be notable, as it would be the first time United have occupied the top six for back-to-back weeks since the end of the 2023-24 season, shortly before a 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace that almost cost Erik ten Hag his job prior to the FA Cup final victory.
While that would represent progress of sorts under Amorim, it remains far removed from the standards set during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign, when United never finished lower than third after winning his first league title in 1993.
It is against that backdrop that former midfielder Paul Scholes argued on his The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast last week that Amorim is not “the right man” for the job, citing a system he believes does not align with United’s traditional use of wingers.
Asked whether repeated criticism from former players was an issue, Amorim said it was to be expected.
“I think it’s normal,” he said. “It’s a fact that me as a manager of Manchester United, I think we are underachieving. We should have more points, especially this season. So, I take that naturally.
“Sometimes they don’t have all the information and see Manchester United with the standards they lived here, always winning. It’s hard for them to see their club in this situation.”
Amorim dismissed the idea that such scrutiny makes his job more difficult, pointing instead to results.
“No,” he added. “Not winning is the issue.
“The problem is that me as a manager, I’m not doing good enough. That is a fact also and I can accept that. The only problem for them is that Manchester United is not winning and is not in the position that it’s supposed to be.
“If you are winning, there is no issue.”
The United head coach has previously highlighted the limitations of some of the younger players he was forced to rely on last season, suggesting the squad was not fully equipped to meet his demands, an argument that arguably still holds weight.
The club have chosen not to confirm whether Noussair Mazraoui, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo will be available against Bournemouth amid uncertainty over Africa Cup of Nations call-ups. With Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire sidelined by injury, Amorim is likely to turn to 20-year-old Leny Yoro and 19-year-old Ayden Heaven in his three-man defence in the coming weeks, a less than ideal scenario given their lack of experience.
However, sympathy for Amorim has been limited by his handling of midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. The 20-year-old is yet to start a Premier League game this season and received a warm reception from travelling supporters when he came on during the 4-1 win at Wolves. Mainoo is keen on a loan move in January to secure regular football.
Amorim blocked a similar move in the summer, when Mainoo had an agreement lined up with Serie A champions Napoli. The United coach declined to say how he would respond if another request were made before the transfer window closes but stressed he was open to discussion.
“I had some conversations with him, especially last year, and with other players, but about that subject, no, I didn’t speak with him,” Amorim said.
“I will be really pleased if Kobbie comes to talk to me about that. I just want my players happy.
“I understand every individual has their goals and the frustration doesn’t help anybody.
“I’m not going to say what I would say but I would talk to him.
“I am completely open, that is clear. I have my ideas and that is also clear. I will not change if I don’t believe it but I’m open to speak with any player. I love that.”
