Ruben Amorim was prepared to walk away from Manchester United in January following a disastrous start to his tenure.
The 40-year-old arrived at Old Trafford in November with a reputation as one of Europe’s most highly-rated young managers following a hugely successful spell in charge of Sporting Lisbon.
Full of vim and vigour, Amorim’s first few media appearances were characterised by a conviction that he, despite a lack of experience, was the man best qualified to turn the United juggernaut around.
Amorin, wedded to his tried and tested 3-4-3 formation, enjoyed only the briefest of honeymoon periods and quickly realised the enormity of the task ahead of him.
Indeed after a run of just one win in eight games, according to ESPN, Amorim had become so overawed that he was prepared to walk away and hand in his resignation.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
It took the reassurance of several close associates and a vote of confidence from the club’s chief executive, Omar Berrada, for Amorim tobe talked into continuing in a role that saw him ‘visibly graying’ according to one source.
Berrada, who joined Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s new-look boardroom team from Manchester City last year, ensured Amorim that he would be backed in the transfer window this summer, regardless of where and in what state the club finished the season.
Man Utd’s unwanted records this season
– United’s eighth-placed finish last season was their worst of the Premier League era but they currently lie 16th and the highest they can finish this season is 14th, if they win their final game and both Wolves and West Ham fail to win.
– They will also finish with their fewest wins and points – a maximum of 11 and 42 respectively if they beat Aston Villa, compared to their previous record lows of 16 wins and 58 points in 2021-22.
– Their 18 defeats are their most of the Premier League era, already four more than last season’s previous worst, while their current eight-match winless league run beats a record of seven set back in 1992.
– They will finish with their lowest Premier League goal tally, barring an improbable seven against Villa to equal their 49 in 2015-16. Only twice have they conceded more than this season’s 54, with 57 in 2021-22 and a record 58 last season.
– Unless Bruno Fernandes scores two goals or Amad Diallo three against Villa, this will be the first Premier League season with no United player reaching double figures.
– United sacked manager Erik ten Hag in October, just four months after extending his contract. Replacement Ruben Amorim has lost as many games as he has won in all competitions, 15, with his 37.5 per cent win rate the worst of any Red Devils manager since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.
Despite their domestic travails, United could yet end a tortuous campaign, in which they appear to be setting unwanted Premier League records by the week, with a significant silver lining.
Wednesday’s Europa League final against Tottenham in Bilbao offers the chance of a third major trophy in as many seasons, qualification for the Champions League and a possible £100million windfall.
Berrada, for his part, appears to be making good on his promise of investing in a squad that has looked unsuited to Amorim’s preferred tactical system.
Talks over a move for Wolves’ forward Matheus Cunha are progressing at pace and there is a growing confidence that United can close a £60m deal imminently.
‘I have the same information as you. I don’t know. I just know he’s my player,’ said Wolves boss Vitor Pereira on Monday when asked about his star player’s future.
‘He’s committed with the team, he’s working with happiness and we will see what happens. You must ask him. He is happy. I feel he is happy.’
Ipswich’s impressive young striker Liam Delap is also on the club’s radar, while Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres, who thrived under Amorim’s tutelage at Sporting, is also a key target.