Ruben Amorim wants sense of urgency at Man United, despite Jim Ratcliffe backing

LONDON – Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said the support of co-owner Jim Ratcliffe will mean little, if he fails to turn around the club’s fortunes.

In an interview with The Times newspaper’s The Business podcast last week, British billionaire Ratcliffe said Amorim has to “demonstrate he is a great coach over three years”.

The Portuguese is approaching a year in the Old Trafford hot seat but is yet to win back-to-back English Premier League games.

Doing so away to Liverpool at Anfield on Oct 19 would be a major step in the right direction, and Amorim knows he will be under intense pressure until results improve.

“He tells me all the time, sometimes with a message after games – but you know, I know and Jim knows, that football is not like that,” he said at his pre-match press conference on Oct 17, referring to Ratcliffe’s timescale.

“The most important thing is the next game.”

United ended the season 15th in the Premier League last term – their lowest finish for 51 years – and squandered a chance to qualify for the Champions League when they lost in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.

They have fared little better this season, heading into this weekend 10th in the Premier League after losing three of their first seven league games and crashing to a shock League Cup defeat at fourth-tier Grimsby Town.

Yet Amorim has so far retained the support of Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.

A 2-2 draw at Liverpool last season was arguably his most impressive result since taking charge and there have been other creditable performances against top clubs, but the former Sporting coach says that exposes a mentality issue.

“First of all, I can feel it. It’s not just that thing that people talk, I feel it every day. Sometimes the pressure that I put on the team, on myself, is so much bigger than them,” the 40-year-old added.

“I know that it’s going to take a while, but I don’t want to think like that. I said that last year. I think it also helps our fans to understand that the leadership understands that it’s going to take a while.

“But, at the same moment, I don’t like that because it will give a feeling that we have time to work things out. I don’t want that feeling here in our club.

“It’s good to feel the support but we need to prove in football, and especially in big clubs, that in every weekend we are ready to win games.”

A 2-0 victory over Sunderland before the international break eased the scrutiny on Amorim.

Goalkeeper Senne Lammens made a positive impression on his debut against the Black Cats – sections of the United support even compared him with club great Peter Schmeichel.

United have been hampered by numerous goalkeeping errors from both Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir during Amorim’s reign.

“The first impression in this club is really important. To maintain the level is even more important and is really difficult,” added Amorim.

“He’s not Schmeichel yet – he’s a young guy with talent.

“He showed a lot of composure and the fans liked it, but that is in the past and we need to prove in the next game.”

On the injury front, Lisandro Martinez is not yet ready to return as he recovers from a knee injury while Noussair Mazraoui is doubtful. AFP, REUTERS