Ruben Amorim told he is DROWNING in 'sink or swim' situation at Man Utd after failing to improve Red Devils since taking over from Erik ten Hag

Since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November, Amorim has struggled to turn United’s fortunes around, raising doubts over his long-term future at Old Trafford. Despite arriving with a strong reputation after winning two Portuguese league titles with Sporting CP, his record in England has been disappointing. The Red Devils have managed to win just five of their last 16 Premier League matches, and their recent FA Cup elimination at the hands of Fulham has only intensified concerns about his ability to succeed at the highest level.

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has been particularly vocal about Amorim’s early struggles, questioning whether the Portuguese tactician has made any meaningful improvements to the squad. Writing in his The Telegraph column, Carragher described this current Manchester United team as "the worst of his lifetime" and stated that the bare minimum expectation was for the players to show better organization and structure than they did under Ten Hag.

Carragher wrote: "This is the worst United team of my lifetime and the bare minimum that could have been expected after Amorim took charge, that the team would look like they are being coached better than they were under Ten Hag, has not materialised. United’s players have not responded well to his methods. Has a single player looked any better than they were under Ten Hag? It is sink or swim at one of the biggest clubs in the world, and Amorim is currently drowning in the tidal waves of mediocrity."

One of the key criticisms leveled at Amorim is his insistence on playing a 3-4-3 formation, which has yet to yield consistent results. Despite the team's struggles, he has been reluctant to make tactical adjustments, leading to further frustration among supporters and analysts alike. Carragher pointed out that other managers have successfully implemented their own systems at new clubs, often making an immediate impact. He cited the examples of David Moyes, Oliver Glasner, Nuno Espirito Santo, Unai Emery, and Eddie Howe, all of whom have transformed their teams in challenging situations.

"Moyes has won 15 points from a possible 24 since taking over, with only one win fewer than Amorim. United have collected just 18 points from 48 under new management. That must be a concern," he wrote.

"There are other examples of this. Oliver Glasner recently celebrated a year in charge at Crystal Palace, having taken plenty of big scalps playing the same 3-4-3 formation as Amorim. It took no time for his players to adjust to a new philosophy. Good coaches unlock the full potential of players, whatever their preferred system.

"Nuno Espirito Santo led instant improvement at Nottingham Forest to keep the club in the Premier League last season, an upward trajectory which has continued to make Champions League qualification a possibility. Unai Emery has been similarly transformative at Aston Villa, and from the moment Eddie Howe took over at Newcastle United, it felt as if the club’s annual relegation battles were over. Perhaps the most relevant point of comparison for Amorim is Mikel Arteta’s early work at Arsenal, United’s opponents on Sunday."

With United’s 2024-25 campaign already in disarray, Amorim must act fast to silence his critics and restore confidence in his leadership before it is too late. A victory against the Gunners on Sunday in front of the home crowd will be a massive step in the right direction.