By Emeka Blast 
Heat on Amorim as Manchester United Struggles Continue
Manchester, UK – Ruben Amorim, Manchester United’s head coach, is facing intense scrutiny following a shock defeat to Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup second round on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. The humiliating loss, coupled with United’s lackluster start to the 2025-26 Premier League season, has sparked outrage among fans and calls for Amorim’s sacking, marking the lowest point in his brief tenure at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils’ 2-2 draw against League Two side Grimsby Town ended in a dramatic penalty shootout loss, with Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo failing to convert, as reported by the Irish Mirror. Grimsby’s Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren scored in the first half, with United’s Harry Maguire leveling the score late, only for the shootout to seal their fate. This defeat extended United’s winless run in their opening two Premier League matches against Arsenal and Fulham, leaving them languishing in 14th place.
Social media erupted with fan frustration, with posts on X like one from @RedDevilsFan declaring, “Everyone knows eventually Ruben Amorim will get sacked, why prolong it? He’s clueless, this is a sackable offence.” Another user, @MUFCVoice, added, “I’ve mentally checked out of Man United. Sack Amorim tonight.” The loss, described as “rock bottom” by some supporters, has intensified pressure on the 39-year-old Portuguese manager, who joined United from Sporting Lisbon in November 2024 for a £9.2m release fee.
Amorim, lauded for leading Sporting to two Primeira Liga titles, including a historic 19-year drought-ending triumph in 2021, has struggled to replicate that success at United. His tactical shift to a 3-4-3 formation, successful in Lisbon, has yet to gel with United’s squad, despite heavy summer spending exceeding £200m on players like Cunha, Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko. Critics argue that his high defensive line and counter-pressing style, detailed by Total Football Analysis, have left United vulnerable, particularly against pacey opponents.
The Athletic notes that only three Sporting managers in history had a better win percentage than Amorim’s 70.53%, yet his current record at United is the club’s lowest ever for a manager, fueling doubts about his fit for the Premier League’s pressure cooker. Portuguese football expert Marcus Alves told BBC Sport, “On the pitch, he has always delivered,” but warned that United’s “soap opera” environment poses unique challenges, especially after Erik ten Hag’s sacking in October 2024.
The Grimsby defeat has divided opinions. Some fans, as seen on X, advocate for patience, citing Amorim’s success in developing talents like Viktor Gyökeres and Pedro Gonçalves at Sporting. @UnitedFaithful posted, “Give Amorim time to adapt. He’s a serial rebuilder.” Others, however, point to the squad’s lack of “desire and pride,” with pundits like those at Irish Mirror suggesting Sean Dyche as a potential replacement for his stabilizing influence.
United’s captain, Bruno Fernandes, who played under Amorim at Sporting, previously praised his “dynamic, offensive football,” but recent performances have tested that endorsement. Diogo Dalot, another Portuguese star, told Sky Sports, “He’s demanding, the perfect match for a club like this,” yet the team’s 21st-place standing in the Europa League and 14th in the Premier League tell a different story.
With United facing Chelsea, PAOK, and Leicester City before the international break, Amorim’s immediate future hinges on results. His contract, running until June 2027, offers some security, but fan sentiment, as seen on X, suggests time is running out. The club’s hierarchy, having backed him with significant transfers, is unlikely to act rashly, per the Irish Mirror, but the pressure is undeniable.
As United prepare for their next fixtures, Amorim’s ability to adapt his tactics and rally a demoralized squad will be critical. For now, the “special” manager, as Sporting fans once called him, faces a defining moment to prove he can restore United’s former glory.
