Ruben Amorim has once again dismissed suggestions that he is facing the sack at Old Trafford after Manchester United fell to yet another defeat in a woeful performance away at Brentford. The Portuguese coach has picked up this season where he left last campaign as the Red Devils continue to look bereft of ideas. With the club still yet to reach ten league wins under Amorim, time is running out.
Feeble United remain unable to string wins together
Not only have United won just nine of Amorim's 33 Premier League games in charge, the Red Devils have yet to win more than one game on the bounce. It has become commonplace in Amorim's tenure to follow up an impressive victory, like last week's against Chelsea, with an equally spectacular defeat, akin to Saturday's 3-1 loss to Brentford. The United fans and board could be forgiven for beginning to feel frustration at their side's inconsistency and may be growing tired of seeing the Portuguese coach's insistence at playing his 3-4-3 system – a formation that has produced little success at Old Trafford.
Brentford raced into an early 2-0 lead, Igor Thiago scoring a brace within the opening 20 minutes, before United attempted to mount a comeback. Amorim will be pleased that Benjamin Sesko, his big summer signing, finally got off the mark after finishing a chaotic move with an emphatic finish from close range. When Bryan Mbeumo was hauled down in the box by Nathan Collins, the Red Devils looked set to tie up the game, but Bruno Fernandes has his effort saved by Caoimhin Kelleher in the Bees goal. Mathias Jensen then scored a third and put the game, and any hope of salvaging a point, beyond the hopes of United and the under-fire Amorim, who remains defiant.
AdvertisementAFPAmorim backs himself to turn United around
Speaking after the game, via the , Amorim said: "I am always comfortable with the job. I am not concerned, it is not my decision. I will do the best I can every minute I am here. I am never concerned about my job, I am not that kind of guy.
"I'm always doing my job. If I win, I'm in a different state of mind. That is normal, but I'm always confident because I know what to do. I've always taken a lot of responsibility on your own shoulders. We can play better and we need to play better. It's like ups and downs. When you win, you feel that everything, the momentum is here. When you lose, you go back to the same place and you fight again for one win that can help you to create the momentum.
"I cannot tell you more than I say every time I lose the game. Sometimes you see one team that performs really well and you see improvements. And then sometimes you have some games that you don't see that improvement. That gives you the confidence to say that Manchester United is going to get back. So it's always the same conversation. It depends on the next game. So let's try to win the next game and to improve certain things."
Disappointment shrouds United
Following another defeat, the United players are also beginning to feel the pressure of their poor performances. New signing Matheus Cunha is yet to find the back of the net in a Manchester United shirt and admitted that the atmosphere in the dressing room is not in a good place. "[The mood] is horrible. Honestly, horrible. I always say the same, we know how important it is to play for a club like this one and we go for every game to win," he said. "For it not to end like that, it is a horrible feeling. Everyone wanted to do more, everyone needs to do more. Of course, we need to go again, that's only the way."
Getty Images/GOALMore difficulty lies on the horizon at Old Trafford
United’s next challenge comes in the form of Sunderland, who travel to Old Trafford with confidence after their strong start to life back in the Premier League. Amorim goes into the game knowing that anything other than victory could prove catastrophic. The international break follows next week’s fixture and may prove a good opportunity for the United board to consider alternative options for their dugout. Should Amorim remain in charge over the break, he will have to face a trip to Anfield to take on league leaders Liverpool – a fixture United have a poor recent record in.