Man Utd hold family gathering one day after Brentford embarrassment as Ruben Amorim looks to lift spirits at Old Trafford

United have endured a terrible start to the season, and have struggled ever since Amorim stepped into the Old Trafford dugout. The Portuguese has not overseen two consecutive wins throughout his time at the club and they are currently languishing 14th in the Premier League table, with three defeats from just six games. They have only won twice, beating 10-man Chelsea and newly-promoted Burnley. As a result, pressure is ratcheting up on Amorim, with the club lurching from one disaster to another; Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher has already claimed that the former Sporting CP boss has been a "disaster" in Manchester.

In a brutal swipe, the Liverpool legend said: "I think he's still in a job because the powers-at-be have made so many mistakes that they almost don't want to admit right now they have made another. This has been a disaster for Amorim and United. The quicker they make a decision on the manager we are only waiting for the inevitable. This has to end as quickly as possible.

"I think every other Premier League manager would think 'I could to a better job' - the only positive is they haven't gone all out for his system. Any competent football manager could get United to the European places or certainly fighting for them. It couldn't have gone any worse. What he did at Sporting was really special, but it will be better for everyone to just shake hands and move on."

Per the Daily Mail, United are keen to send the message that it is business as usual. Amorim and his staff got together with the squad and their families. The club hold the gathering a few times a season and had it scheduled before the clash with Brentford. They were not minded to change the date, and as a result, the players had an opportunity to blow off some steam. The club remain confident that Amorim can turn their season around, despite their dismal league form and the fact they were dumped out of the League Cup by Grimsby Town. Nevertheless, their encounter with Sunderland this weekend could prove decisive especially as it is their final game before the international break. 

The club are insistent they are not currently drawing up a shortlist of potential replacements but the report does make it clear that research is being done in case they do have to make a change. However, they are also acutely aware of the cost involved in replacing Amorim - it will take a figure of around £12 million if they remove the manager before November. Sir Jim Ratcliffe does have close ties with Gareth Southgate, the former England manager, and he would be available without the complication of a potential compensation package, as he is unattached. Nevertheless, it is unclear if the remainder of the board would back a move for a manager who has not taken charge of a club side since 2006, when he was in charge of Middlesbrough. 

United have also been linked with former Barcelona boss Xavi, who is said to be willing to take the job "immediately" if he is approached by the club. He has not managed in the Premier League before, of course, but he has experience managing at the highest level, taking charge of his former club Barcelona for three years, winning La Liga in 2022-23.

Amorim desperately needs a win against Sunderland ahead of the international break, although the fixture list does not get any kinder thereafter; as soon as they return to Premier League action, they will face Liverpool at Anfield before welcoming Brighton to Old Trafford. United will hope to go into the break without the sword of Damocles hanging over Amorim's head but, unfortunately for him, that appears very unlikely.