Man United boss concedes defeat to Sunderland could end his troubled reign at Old Trafford

Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United is hanging by a thread, with defeat against Sunderland on Saturday likely to seal his fate.

Telegraph Sport understands that the 39-year-old Portuguese coach is under intense pressure to deliver a result at Old Trafford, as the club’s hierarchy, led by co-owners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazers, grows increasingly uneasy.

The mood behind the scenes has darkened after United’s limp 3-1 loss to Brentford last weekend, their third Premier League defeat in six games. The club now sits a dismal 14th in the table, and patience among senior figures is wearing thin.

Amorim himself has admitted that another failure could make his position untenable. “Nobody here is naive,” he said in a tense press conference on Friday. “We understand that we need results to continue the project. We will reach a point that is impossible for everyone. This is a very big club with a lot of sponsors, with two owners. The balance is really hard.”

When asked directly if he feared the board’s patience might snap, Amorim was candid: “It doesn’t matter. I just need one more game because football is like that. We win, we get hope, and then in the next game we’ll see.

“What makes me suffer is losing games, not losing my job. You fear losing your job when you have to pay the bills — I don’t have that feeling. I just want to continue this, but when we don’t win, that is the suffering I have.”

The former Sporting Lisbon manager has so far failed to win consecutive league games since his appointment last November, amassing just 34 points from 33 matches — a tally worse than any other Premier League side over the same period except Tottenham.

The timing could not be worse for United. Their next league match after Sunderland is a trip to Anfield to face leaders Liverpool, followed by a European fixture against Porto. With the club desperate to return to continental competition after missing out entirely last season, executives fear the cost of failure could be catastrophic.

The financial implications are significant. Missing Europe last season cost United tens of millions in revenue, and finishing outside the top six again could widen that gap further. The difference between sixth place and 14th alone is worth at least £25 million in prize money.

While sacking Amorim would cost around £12 million in compensation, insiders say that figure would not deter the board if they believe a change is necessary. “It’s about restoring direction and stability,” one source said.

Behind the scenes, morale appears to be slipping. A growing number of senior players are reportedly losing faith in Amorim’s tactics, particularly his rigid 3-4-2-1 formation, which critics argue stifles United’s attacking talent. The coach has refused to abandon the system, insisting the issue lies in execution, not design.

“What drives me crazy,” Amorim said, “is the idea that the system is the problem. My players have to believe in me because I watch more games of United than anyone else.”

His comments came amid fierce criticism from club legends Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Roy Keane, who have all questioned United’s direction and leadership. Amorim admitted their words have filtered into the dressing room. “My players listen to you, all those opinions. They are putting that inside because we are not winning games,” he said.

If United falter again this weekend, the calls for his dismissal will be deafening. The club’s board is believed to have already begun contingency planning in case results don’t turn around quickly.

For now, the equation is brutally simple: beat Sunderland or face the sack.