Amorim has showdown talks with Jim Ratcliffe over shaky start to season

Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim has held showdown talks with the club’s hierarchy following a turbulent start to the season.

According to multiple reports, senior figures at Old Trafford, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS representatives, met with the Portuguese coach this week to discuss concerns over recent performances and results.

The talks come in the wake of United’s shock League Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby Town, a defeat widely described as one of the most humiliating in the club’s modern history.

That result, coupled with inconsistent league form, has piled early pressure on Amorim, who arrived last year from Sporting CP with a reputation for tactical innovation and a clear footballing philosophy.

United insiders suggest the meeting was “constructive rather than confrontational,” but it underlined the urgency of the situation.

Amorim’s preference for a 3-4-3 system has yet to yield the attacking fluency or defensive solidity fans expected. Critics argue the approach has left United predictable going forward and vulnerable in transition, with too many players looking uncomfortable in their roles.

Complicating matters is a growing injury crisis. Key players such as Matheus Cunha, Diogo Dalot, and Mason Mount are sidelined, leaving the squad stretched ahead of the high-stakes Manchester derby on September 14.

The timing of these setbacks has not helped Amorim implement his system or build momentum.

Despite frustrations, the board is believed to be offering Amorim short-term backing. Sir Jim Ratcliffe has stressed the importance of stability and is reluctant to make rash changes so early into the new regime, reported The Sun.

However, insiders also indicate that patience is not unlimited. Poor results in the coming weeks could force the club to reconsider its position, especially if fan discontent grows louder.

For now, Amorim remains in charge, but the outcome of the showdown talks is clear: improvement must be swift. The upcoming derby will be a defining moment, not just for United’s season but also for Amorim’s tenure. Another disappointing performance could turn a constructive conversation into the beginning of a crisis.