Ruben Amorim Stands Firm Amid Pressure After City Defeat

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has stated that he will not alter his tactical philosophy, indicating that if the club desires a change, they will need to dismiss him. This declaration follows a challenging 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, a loss that deepens the scrutiny on his leadership as United struggles with just four points from their first four matches of the Premier League season.

The defeat marks another disappointing chapter for United, who finished last season in a disappointing 15th place. Amorim, who took over the managerial role in November 2022, has won only eight league games during his tenure. Despite the results, he has remained steadfast in his approach, asserting, “It is not a record we should have at Manchester United. I accept that but I am not going to change.”

During the match against City, United showed some resilience in the first half. However, they fell behind when Phil Foden scored with a header in the 18th minute. The second half saw Erling Haaland take control, scoring twice and hitting the post, showcasing a dominant performance from City following their previous back-to-back losses.

Amorim acknowledged the fans’ potential loss of faith but emphasized that he feels the disappointment more acutely than anyone. He remarked, “I understand. That is normal with the results. I accept that but I don’t see it that way. I see we are doing better but the results don’t show that.” He reassured supporters by saying that his focus remains on doing what is best for the club.

City’s manager Pep Guardiola recognized the importance of the victory, stating, “We have to improve but winning games, especially the derby, and seeing the faces of our fans, the joy, the happiness after the game is always better.” His comments reflected a sense of relief after recent setbacks and highlighted the team’s response to criticism.

Before the match, Haaland expressed the need for improvement, and Guardiola was pleased with the striker’s performance, stating, “Erling has never disappointed us. That’s why he extended the contract for many years. He’s been a special player but we have many of them.”

Guardiola also lauded Foden’s comeback, acknowledging the challenges the England international faced last season due to injuries. He said, “We missed him so much last season, and we need him so much. Hopefully, step-by-step, he can get back to his best, and I’m pretty sure after a game like today, we will see the best Phil.”

As Manchester United prepares for upcoming fixtures, the pressure on Amorim continues to mount. With fans eagerly awaiting a turnaround, his unwavering commitment to his strategy will be closely scrutinized in the weeks ahead.