Senior executives at Manchester United are convinced that the squad is behind embattled head coach Ruben Amorim. CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox have held informal discussions with members of the senior leadership team, including Bruno Fernandes. Those conversations have left the hierarchy at Old Trafford convinced there is genuine support for Amorim.
Man Utd players and execs discuss Amorim's future
reports that Berrada and Wilcox were not explicitly trying to "sound out" the players on Amorim's future, but feedback on the former Sporting boss and the atmosphere in the dressing room was positive.
Berrada and Wilcox, both of whom were appointed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe after the businessman became a minority shareholder of the club in February 2024, have been tasked with taking a hands-on approach in understanding the current mood around the club. Both execs are based at the club's Carrington training facility. The compound has undergone a £50m makeover this year, which has facilitated more interactions between the club's execs and the players in and around the newly-designed group areas.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMount and De Ligt express public support for Amorim
This new report backs up the public utterances of senior players. After the Red Devils' 2-0 win over Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday, Mason Mount he and his team-mates are giving Amorim their full support.
"We're 100% behind the gaffer," Mount said. "We've had some difficult results that hurt us, have been painful for the team, the staff and the fans, but it was important to win.
"It needs to be [the start of a winning streak] – we thought after Chelsea it would be the start of something, and then we go to Brentford and have a disappointing result.
"It starts [with the win over Sunderland], and we'll be working hard over the break. We want to get back-to-back wins, then three in a row and push on for the top four."
Matthjis de Ligt showed that even after a defeat, the players are unwilling to lay the blame solely at their boss's door. The Dutchman refused to blame Amorim's maligned 3-4-2-1 formation for their 3-1 defeat away to Brentford in September.
"Of course, I mean it's always easy to look to the manager, but in the end the players on the pitch have to do it," said De Ligt. "We can't say the goals we conceded, or the chances we conceded, are because of what… I don't know, you guys always talk about the system. That also has a lot to do with focus, concentration, and, if that's lacking in key moments, it's going to make a difference."
Amorim appreciative of player support as outside criticism continues
Amorim will be grateful for the public and private displays of loyalty from his players, as the outside criticism of his tenure continues at pace. Not only has he had to deal with comments from prominent United legends such as Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney, he has also been negatively compared to flailing Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch by LBC host Nick Ferrari.
Specifically replying to Mount's comments after the Sunderland win, Amorim showed his appreciation for his players' continued efforts, while also suggesting they still have plenty to improve upon.
"I know they want to do the best, and I know they don't want to change the coach all the time," Amorim said.
"We need to show with actions. Sometimes, when we look at our team, I know for sure that when we see the games, in the end, they know sometimes we can do better. I feel [the support] during the week, but we need to show it on the pitch."
Getty Images SportCan Amorim convert players' support into success?
The positive noises coming out of Carrington will be of scant comfort to United fans if it does not start translating into consistency on the pitch, and points in the league table. United return from the international break with a massive fixture against Liverpool. Given their arch rival's recent defeats, Amorim and his players might just fancy their chances in taking all three points at Anfield on October 19.