Ruben Amorim handed clear Man Utd sack timeline as problems spiral amid job stance

Ruben Amorim faces the axe at Manchester United before Christmas unless he turns things around quickly. That's according to former Manchester City and Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann.

United have managed just four points from their opening four fixtures, marking their most dismal Premier League start since 1992/93. The Red Devils also crashed out of the Carabao Cup in an embarrassing fashion - losing 12-11 on penalties to League Two outfit Grimsby Town after a 2-2 stalemate in normal time.

This follows United securing their joint-worst Premier League campaign (15th place) with their lowest-ever points haul (42) and most losses (15) since the league's inception 33 years ago.

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Since taking over from Erik ten Hag as United's manager - in November 2023 - Amorim's tenure has been deeply disappointing. The Portuguese has triumphed in merely eight of his 31 league encounters at the helm.

Although his overall statistics are boosted by United's Europa League display last term, he still boasts just a 36 per cent success rate across his 47 matches in charge, with 12 draws and 18 defeats. The heat on Amorim has now intensified after Sunday's devastating thrashing at rivals City, although The Manchester Evening News understands the United hierarchy continues to back him for the time being.

However, a source close to Amorim concedes that it's incredible that his role isn't facing serious scrutiny. Hamann, on the other hand, reckons that United's patience with Amorim could run out if there isn't a swift upturn in results.

In fact, Hamann has suggested that the ex-Sporting CP boss could be shown the door by Christmas, if he doesn't manage to reverse United's current slump. Speaking to Racing Tipster, Hamman stated: "I think Ruben Amorim has got to turn things around quickly.

"There was a case to be made last season to change the manager in the summer, but they decided against it. They spent money again, bringing in Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko. At some stage, you want to see improvement.

"So far, it hasn't happened. If it doesn't happen by Christmas, I'm not too sure whether he'll still be in charge."

City had an easy ride at the Etihad Stadium, with Phil Foden netting the opener in the 18th minute before Erling Haaland bagged a brace in the second half to seal the deal for the Blues.

Giving his thoughts on the match and also his Premier League record since taking the reins at United, Amorim said after the game: "It's not a record that you should have in Manchester United.

"There are a lot of things that you have no idea what happened during these months, but I accept that. But I'm not going to change. When I want to change my philosophy, I will change.

"If not, you have to change the man. So, we'll talk about that every game, every game that we lose; 'I don't believe in that, in the system', or whatever. So, I play my way, I'm going to play my way until I want to change."

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