S Poddar
Ruben Amorim’s first season at Manchester United has not been a dream start, and now the club’s Europa League campaign has become of vital importance. In spite of the turmoil, his job is safe, with the notion of dismissing him just a few months into the job being unthinkable.
When Amorim was installed, United were 14th in the Premier League. Close to five months on, there is not a great deal different. In his 16 league matches in charge, they have lost 11, and the performances have hardly filled fans with confidence. And to compound all this, their aspirations of claiming domestic honours were extinguished with premature cup exits from the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. Now, their only viable hope of saving the season is in the Europa League, where they play Real Sociedad in the first leg of their knockout match on Thursday. Later that week, they play Arsenal in the Premier League, a game that could further shape their path.
The atmosphere around Old Trafford has been one of disappointment, and the FA Cup defeat to Fulham only deepened the gloom. The players saw the competition as an opportunity to inject some positivity into a dismal campaign, but that door is now closed. Instead, they must now focus on the daunting task of navigating through Europe, knowing that the pressure is immense.
Apart from performances on the pitch, the atmosphere within the club has been compounded by off-field problems. Redundancies among staff and job losses have bred uncertainty, while cuts that have been imposed on non-playing staff have left demoralized workers. Boardroom struggles have replicated struggles on the pitch, generating an uncertainty about the future of the club.
The only concrete instruction on the goings-on right now is survival—surviving this tough spell and reassessing in the summer. Yet, there has been scant reassurance from the club’s hierarchy as to the amount of support Amorim will get during the transfer window. When queried whether he had been assured of having any guarantees in place to rebuild the squad, the Portuguese manager conceded there were none.
That makes the Europa League more important than ever, not only on the sporting side but financially too. Victory in Europe might bring a much-needed injection, both in the way of finance and morale. It might even get Amorim to convince the players, fans, and powers that be at the club that they are moving in the right direction, because all those stakeholders are unsure of the way United are traveling.
In contrast to his predecessor Erik ten Hag, Amorim has not had any public support from the club hierarchy. Despite that, however, it is unimaginable that United would sack him so shortly after recruiting him. Having pursued him energetically mid-season, they should support him, although the club’s finances complicate that process. Profit and Sustainability Rules will be central to their summer strategy, and in making any real headway, a large-scale shake-up of the squad will have to be done. Not doing so may see the club head into another year of averageness—or worse.
Against that backdrop, there has been some positives, especially in the form of 17-year-old striker Chido Obi. The young player has impressed in the last few weeks, displaying potential with his physique, assurance in one-on-ones, and threat to create chances to score goals. Nonetheless, regardless of his sudden emergence, he will not be available for consideration in the Europa League. United did not add him to their updated list of players before the deadline, so he will have to sit out as his colleagues face Real Sociedad.
Coaches have been impressed with the progress of Obi, while Amorim has admitted that there remains some “naivety” to his decision-making—something inevitable at his age. His work ethic, attitude, and desire have impressed those at the club, and there is real hope for his potential. But it will have to wait for the moment when he gets his chance to play a part on the European stage.
United’s Europa League campaign is now under incredible pressure, the club’s season and finances riding on the line. The upcoming games against Real Sociedad and Arsenal will be make-or-break moments in Amorim’s reign. While his job is not necessarily in jeopardy at present, there can be no question that there is pressure. The way United see out the next few weeks will determine not only the rest of the season but also potentially the long-term plans for the club under Amorim.
For the time being, the directive is straightforward—survive, regroup, and pray that the summer brings much-needed change. But to make that a reality, United needs to begin winning. And fast.
