Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim launched a scathing attack on his team’s “embarrassing” form and “dangerous culture” after a 2-0 home loss to West Ham, accepting his job could be on the line if he fails to fix the club’s Premier League collapse.
United, 16th in the table, are set for their worst league finish in 51 years. Follow BRG365 for exclusive reaction and analysis.
Amorim’s scathing assessment
Ruben Amorim did not hold back in his post-match press conference, labeling United’s league campaign “embarrassing” and questioning the team’s mentality after their 17th league defeat of the season.
“How is a manager of Manchester United supposed to feel in this position? Embarrassed and it’s hard to accept,” Amorim said.
“The biggest concern is the feeling that losing is ‘OK’—that’s the most dangerous thing for a club of this size.”
United’s loss to West Ham, their ninth home defeat in the Premier League this season, left them winless in seven league games (D2, L5) and just three points above the relegation zone.
The result piled pressure on Amorim, who has won just six league games since replacing Erik ten Hag in November.
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Culture crisis and lack of urgency
Amorim singled out a “lack of urgency” and a fading “massive club mentality” as the root causes of United’s struggles.
When asked about a potential “culture issue,” he said:
“It’s not just culture—it’s the feeling that there’s no desperation to win. At a big club, losing a home game should feel like the end of the world. We’ve lost that.”
United’s performance against West Ham exemplified their issues: despite a 2.28 xG tally, they conceded two goals to Jarrod Bowen and Tomas Soucek, extending their winless run to seven matches—a joint-worst in Premier League history.
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Job on the line for Amorim
The Portuguese manager, whose contract runs until 2027, admitted he may not be the right man to lead United if the club’s mindset does not change drastically.
“If the feeling is still here next season—this lack of urgency—we should give space to different people,” Amorim said.
“I’m talking about myself and the culture in the team. We need to be brave in the summer.”
United’s dismal league form contrasts with their Europa League run, where they face Tottenham in the final on May 21.
But Amorim dismissed the trophy as “the smallest problem,” insisting the club’s deeper issues must be addressed first.
Key stats: A season of decline
|
Metric |
2024-25 Season |
Previous Worst (Premier League era) |
|---|---|---|
|
League defeats |
17 (16th place) |
15 (8th, 2023-24) |
|
Home league defeats |
9 |
7 (2021-22, 2022-23) |
|
Winless league run |
7 games |
7 games (1992, 2023) |
|
Points after 37 games |
39 |
58 (2023-24) |
Focus shifts to summer rebuild
Amorim stressed the need for radical changes, including squad reinforcements and a reset of the team’s mentality.
With United’s Europa League final berth securing potential Champions League football, he warned:
“Playing in the Champions League means nothing if we can’t fix the basics.
We need to rebuild the feeling that losing is unacceptable—for players, staff, everyone.”
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand echoed the concern: “This isn’t just about tactics.
The culture has to change from the top down. Amorim’s right—urgency is missing.”
What’s next for United?
United face Chelsea in their final league game on Friday before the Europa League showdown with Tottenham.
While a trophy could ease pressure, Amorim’s future hinges on whether he can instill a winning mentality ahead of next season.
As he put it: “The summer is decisive. We either rebuild the giant or risk being left behind.”
