Ruben Amorim is 'living a nightmare' at Man Utd with surprise candidate in list to replace him

Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United future remains in doubt after a poor start to the season including a humiliating Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby Town.

The shock defeat has magnified concerns already mounting after sluggish Premier League form, and speculation is rife that the Portuguese coach may not survive beyond the upcoming international break.

Fans want stability at United but at the same time the club has not made progress under Amorim.

United brought Amorim to Old Trafford with the hope he would modernise their approach and instil a clearer footballing identity.

Yet, just weeks into the new season, the side looks disjointed and fragile. The Grimsby loss has been viewed internally as a tipping point, with senior figures weighing the merits of keeping faith or making another change in the dugout.

Former France international Emmanuel Petit delivered a sobering assessment on talkSPORT, acknowledging both Amorim’s honesty and his instability.

“First of all, I really appreciate his honesty… but I have a feeling this guy needs help,” Petit said. “He said something good and then he said something bad. He said something good, ‘I’m happy but I’m not happy. I want to be with my players but I want to kill them.’ … I have the feeling that he’s alone by himself and no one’s helping him.”

Petit continued by expressing doubt over Amorim’s future at Old Trafford: “Honestly, I don’t see him staying at Manchester United.

"I think the international break will decide if he stays or not. That’s my opinion. I’m pretty sure he’s a very good guy, he’s still a very good manager, but he’s living a nightmare.”

The United boss himself has fuelled uncertainty with strikingly open remarks. After the Grimsby defeat, he admitted:

“Sometimes I want to quit. Sometimes I want to be here for 20 years. Sometimes I love to be with my players, sometimes I don’t want to be with them.”

Such candour may have endeared him to some, but to others it has reinforced the sense of volatility around his leadership.

Reports suggest United’s hierarchy have already drawn up a shortlist of potential successors. Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner is considered the frontrunner. Fresh from delivering silverware at Selhurst Park, the Austrian has impressed with his tactical organisation and ability to maximise limited resources.

Another name linked is Andoni Iraola of Bournemouth, admired for his high-energy pressing style that mirrors United’s long-stated ambitions of playing proactive, aggressive football. Beyond them, other outside candidates have been whispered, even surprisingly former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær and even Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, though those remain speculative.

For now, Amorim is expected to remain in charge until the break, but United’s board may use the pause to reset. Historically, international breaks have often been the moment clubs act, providing time for a new coach to assess the squad without the immediate pressure of matches.

If results do not improve swiftly, Amorim risks joining the long list of managers chewed up by United’s post-Ferguson era. The coming weeks could define not only his tenure but also the direction of the club’s entire season.