Ruben Amorim Demands Autonomy as Manchester United Manager

Amorim's Stance on Management

Ruben Amorim has made it clear that he expects to manage Manchester United without interference from the club's higher-ups. Following a 1-1 draw against Leeds United, he expressed his commitment to fulfilling his contract, which has 18 months remaining, while emphasizing that he will not accept meddling from senior officials.

During his press conference, Amorim reserved his most pointed comments for the final question, reiterating that he joined Old Trafford to take on the role of manager rather than just a coaching position. He implied that renowned coaches like Thomas Tuchel, Antonio Conte, and Jose Mourinho would not experience the same level of interference he has faced.

Amorim stated, "I came here to be the manager, not just the coach. Every department, including scouting and the sporting director, must perform their roles effectively. I will fulfill my responsibilities for the next 18 months, and then we will see what happens."

Criticism and Club Sensitivity

The Portuguese manager also pointed out that Manchester United has become overly sensitive to external criticism. He remarked, "If the club cannot handle critiques from figures like Gary Neville, then we need to rethink our approach." Neville recently labeled United's draw with Wolves as "the baddest of the bad," while Paul Scholes questioned Amorim's choice of a three-man defense.

Although Amorim briefly experimented with a four-man defense during the Boxing Day victory over Newcastle, he returned to a three-defender setup in subsequent matches. Reports indicate that Christopher Vivell, the head of recruitment, has encouraged him to modify his tactics after observing how Fulham's Marco Silva countered his system earlier in the season.

Tensions with Club Management

Amorim acknowledged existing disagreements with the club regarding transfer targets and hinted at rising tensions with director of football Jason Wilcox. When asked about his standing with the board, he asserted, "I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not merely the coach. That is unequivocal. While I may not be as recognized as Tuchel, Conte, or Mourinho, I am the manager of this club, and that will remain the case for 18 months or until the board decides otherwise."

Despite the ongoing unrest, Amorim affirmed that he has no intention of resigning and believes the team is progressing, even though they have secured only one win in their last five matches and three in eleven.