Amorim tipped for Portugal return 'as Man Utd mess too big to sort out'

Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United has barely begun, yet doubts are already surfacing about whether he will stay the course.

According to former England striker Stan Collymore, the Portuguese manager could decide that the challenges at Old Trafford are insurmountable and return to Portugal.

Amorim is the latest in a long line of managers tasked with restoring United’s former glory since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and Erik ten Hag all struggled under the weight of expectations before ultimately departing. Now, Amorim finds himself under similar pressure after a difficult start.

United have won just nine of their first 21 matches under Amorim, equating to a 42.86% win rate—significantly lower than his predecessors Ten Hag (54.69%) and Solskjaer (54.17%). Reports from the Daily Mail suggest that some players have already raised concerns about his tactical approach, particularly his insistence on a 3-4-2-1 formation.

Despite the slow start, both Mail Online and GMS claim that Amorim’s job is not under threat. United’s leadership remains confident that he is the right man for the future and are willing to give him time to shape the squad to his vision.

However, Collymore believes it may not be a question of United losing patience, but rather Amorim deciding the job is not worth the struggle.

“For Man United, they’ve got the right man, but instead of sacking him, it might be a case of him having had enough and going back to Portugal,” Collymore wrote in his CaughtOffside column.

“Jose Mourinho was vocal about what’s wrong at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag said it. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said it. Every single Man United manager over the last seven or eight years has said it—and they were all right. And that’s the worry.”

One of the biggest hurdles Amorim faces is the need for a major squad rebuild. United’s squad has been criticized as overpaid and underperforming, yet financial constraints could limit the club’s ability to make necessary changes. As was the case in the January transfer window, United’s summer budget is expected to be tight unless significant player sales are made.

Compounding matters, Amorim had initially hoped to take over next summer, allowing for a full preseason and recruitment window. However, with United sacking Ten Hag in October, he took the opportunity earlier than anticipated.

Ironically, the club Amorim left behind—Sporting CP—has faced its own challenges in his absence. After winning their first 11 matches in the Primeira Liga, Sporting have since dropped points in six of their last 11 games. Their once-commanding lead has been cut to just two points, with Benfica closing in.

Their Champions League campaign also ended in disappointment, crashing out with a 3-0 aggregate loss to Borussia Dortmund—a team currently struggling in the Bundesliga.

Meanwhile, Amorim’s immediate successor, Joao Pereira, lasted just eight matches before being dismissed. His replacement, Rui Borges, has won only five of his first 11 matches in charge.

Despite Collymore’s concerns, there is no concrete evidence to suggest Amorim is contemplating an early exit. While his start at Old Trafford has been far from ideal, United’s hierarchy appears committed to giving him time to implement his philosophy.

For now, the focus remains on overcoming the growing pains of transition. But as history has shown, patience is not always in abundance at Manchester United—on either side of the touchline.