Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has accused Ruben Amorim of risking his job following the Red Devils' upturn in form.
Amorim's job had appeared to have been at serious risk just a matter of weeks ago, with United enduring a tough start to the season on the back of their poor form under the Portuguese last year.
But three wins in a row have seen them rocket up the table to sixth, having beaten Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton and now looking up rather than down.
Amorim received a vote of confidence from owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe earlier this season, and that seems to have paid off with nine points coming in United's last three matches.
Ferdinand, though, doesn't appear too sure. Speaking in the latest episode of Rio Ferdinand Presents, he commended Amorim for sticking to his guns, but admitted his approach is quite the risk.
'I admire it to a certain extent,' Ferdinand said. 'But, like I said, I think he is playing Russian Roulette with his job. I don't think he's changed drastically, he's just tweaked.
'That's what a lot of fans were asking for. Just tweak what you've got. Maybe don't be so much on the front foot, maybe be a bit more conservative at times when we haven't got the ball.
'You can't press, press, press for 90 minutes, unless you're an absolute beast of a team. PSG do it. This manager couldn't do that with this squad.
'That's just sometimes how the cookie crumbles. We might look back in six months and, say Man United finish in the Champions League or something like that, he'll probably sit there confidently and go, "Well, if I did change, I probably would be out of a job because I have been doing things that are alien to me".'
Another former United defender in Gary Neville has spoken highly of Amorim, having admitted he was worried for his future before the trio of wins.
He said on Sky Sports: 'A few weeks ago I was a little bit worried that the players didn't believe in Ruben Amorim's system. That maybe there was an element of not winning matches and starting to question and listening to the noise that all of us - including myself - had added to that.
'But one thing that's been absolutely not in doubt when you speak to people around the club is that they really like him as a person, and that does count for a lot. Because I think there's no doubt - he's not lost the dressing room in terms of spirit and energy and how they feel towards him.
'I think they want to play for him, they're desperate to win and I think you've seen that coming together in the last week. I mean, winning at Anfield in any season is special, but for Ruben Amorim to win at Anfield when it was so unexpected I think has given them such a big lift.
'We'll look forward to the game next week against Nottingham Forest, Tottenham away the week after - there's still a big job to do in the next month. But I felt it was a month of reckoning. If it had started badly last week against Liverpool it could have gone a different way but it feels very different, it feels like the momentum is with them a little bit and the spirit is good.'
Barongagz02
0
Once they win 2-3 matches, he is the best coache but one they start loosing again, they all foolishly name the system 🤣
Kkrexuke
2
quite true. amorim probably realized he cannot make his CMs press for the whole 90mins and tweak because that needs stamina. casemiro and mount can play only 60mins in EPL pace. while Bruno can run full 90 but he often drift up to support attack instinctively. The situation helps due to work horses like mbeumo, Cunha, sesko, Bruno, amad who presses like crazy while casemiro mops up. also help by the form of delight and lammens who give the attackers confidence to push upwards
tedaiklpty
2
that how they confuse the current Manchester United management you so call man United legends are mess
Feucnrsz
1
These so called legends should just shut their mouths up. Whenever they speak, it's rubbish
Mayhem87
1
So this Gary Neville know his noise is actually affecting the players?. the type of legends we have 😭
Emmaveli29
0
my pb with him is he destroys academic's players and other young talented players who are in the squad Touré leon mainoo yoro hayden ...he changes natural position of some players to adjust them in his system...that will not work for long...last week end parents of academy's players have said that their children dosnt have any future in senior team because of that mismanagement... glazer's family must leave before united will be transformed in a simple club like palace or everton
you deserve this
Emmaveli29
1
Go take a job and make best substitutes you just like kean, rio, scholes, they no how to talk but they can’t coach
love this reply
Zezeman1
2
I think the major problem now is his substitution.
Go take a job and make best substitutes you just like kean, rio, scholes, they no how to talk but they can’t coach
Yumcelmo
2
Mainoo is no longer like before so allow the coach to do his work guys
mikcekmnty
3
is this jealousy or what? amorin is now finding a way, instead of motivation to him and the players now you are still complaining? come and take over
sowbdeikru
2
I think the major problem now is his substitution.
sozkmorsty
3
my pb with him is he destroys academic's players and other young talented players who are in the squad Touré leon mainoo yoro hayden ...he changes natural position of some players to adjust them in his system...that will not work for long...last week end parents of academy's players have said that their children dosnt have any future in senior team because of that mismanagement... glazer's family must leave before united will be transformed in a simple club like palace or everton
Tiscnostuz
0
in my opinion players by bit are getting in the circle it's reckoning time indeed now adaptation is in due course.
sozkmorsty
0
you can't satisfy these manu legends.. I feel they are part of the problem. They bring unnecessary pressure to the team. It's almost like they are afraid they will soon be history.
it is normal.they played in that team and they made united the greatest of england and above the world...now when they see that team they are crying.you cant understand what they are going through
tasiklotz
0
I think his problem now is how he's been making his substitution...he needs to know when and who to really substitute and the defence is still a little bit fractured...Yoro has to be more tactful in his zone...but I think he's improving... he's still got a lot more work to do...
Rhema10
3
I think Amorim understand the players he has now better and the premier league. the squad can't play from the back which is number one problem, second issue was keeping the ball we don't have too many players who can keep the ball for long so what he did was to make Cunha free and win second ball high the pitch and play long ball into the opponents box or high up the field then free Amad at wing back to free Mbeumo which is working at the moment
midadosu
1
What Manchester United should look like after the January transfer window
Vezonic22
5
Well, have faith and keep fighting with the team, instead of always having doubts and creating confusion that will affect the team. Motivation is what these guys needs, as well as the fans' support and prayer 🤲🏿
Heikal_Mahsir
1
Have faith
Mirgod
5
you can't satisfy these manu legends.. I feel they are part of the problem. They bring unnecessary pressure to the team. It's almost like they are afraid they will soon be history.
Dielpruyz
4
if u are better step fwd if not u gary n the others pl just stfu.even Keane who was critical has given the boss thumbs up
Lubblmnt
5
If the job is easy and you know everything why don’t you take over Rio? Lol
Saebcimpy
3
To me... All Utd and Amorim need is to score the goals... And this's what happen when Utd start winning games... The tough get going and the going get tough... keep on moving Ruben
vewabcimnt
3
watch this space, if casemiro performs the team automatically performs
tusdimopsu
3
why you old player trust the Manchester united you know better than having negative thinking