Ruben Amorim Under Fire as Brentford Defeat Deepens United Crisis

Ruben Amorim ‘Not Concerned’ Amid Manchester United Crisis After Brentford Loss

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says he is “not concerned” about his job despite increasing scrutiny following a 3-1 loss to Brentford, which keeps the Red Devils in the bottom half of the Premier League.

United’s latest defeat extinguished the optimism from their 2-1 win over Chelsea a week prior, extending their failure to win back-to-back league games under Amorim to 33 matches.

United now have just 34 points from 33 Premier League games since Amorim took over from Erik ten Hag in November 2024. With no midweek fixtures to distract, questions around his future are louder than ever.

“I am never concerned about my job – I am not that kind of guy,” Amorim told BBC Match of the Day.

“It is not my decision. I will do the best I can every minute I am here.”

Amorim’s System Under Fire: Style vs Substance?

Much of the criticism focuses on Amorim’s rigid 3-4-2-1 formation, which he has refused to deviate from despite mounting evidence that it leaves United vulnerable.

• Brentford manager Keith Andrews outfoxed Amorim by switching to a back four, flooding the midfield and exposing United’s back three with long balls and quick transitions.

• Amorim admitted:

  “The goals today, we worked on during the week. That is frustrating.”

Despite preparing for Brentford’s direct approach, United still conceded twice in the first 20 minutes:

1. Harry Maguire misjudged the offside line, leading to Igor Thiago’s opener.

2. Altay Bayindir parried Kevin Schade’s cross into danger, allowing Thiago to score again.

Numbers Don’t Lie: A Team Without Progress

• United are now eight league games without an away win, their worst run since 2019.

• Bruno Fernandes missed another penalty, his second miss in three this season.

• No team has conceded the opening goal more times than United since Amorim’s appointment.

Amorim’s post-match comments have done little to inspire confidence, with his tone bordering on defeatist:

“It’s like ups and downs. You win one, and then go back to zero. It’s always the same conversation.”

Criticism Mounting from Ex-Players and Pundits

Several former players and pundits have publicly questioned Amorim’s leadership and the club’s direction:

• Ashley Williams:

  “I don’t want to say they change manager, but how long can this continue? Amorim has to adapt.”

• Martin Keown:

  “They don’t look good enough. He only has a 1% higher win rate than Graham Potter, and Potter was sacked.”

• Micah Richards:

  “Amorim being so stubborn in what he’s trying to do could be the undoing of him. It’s just not working.”

A Manager Who Knows It’s Not Working

Amorim remains defiant, even sarcastic in the face of tactical criticism:

“When we win, it’s not the system. When we lose, it’s the system. I understand that.”

But as Brentford out-thought and out-fought United, and with no visible evolution in team structure, his system is quickly becoming a symbol of stagnation rather than progress.

What’s Next for Manchester United?

United’s next fixture comes against Brighton at Old Trafford – a game they must win to quell the rising tension. But more than the result, fans and pundits want to see change:

• Tactical flexibility

• Defensive organisation

• Consistent attacking strategy

• Leadership on the pitch

Until then, calls for change in the dugout will grow, and even though Amorim may not be concerned about his job – the board should be.