Amorim Faces Pressure as United Prepares for Arsenal Clash
As the weekend approaches, the spotlight is firmly on Ruben Amorim, the man tasked with steering the ship at Manchester United. The Portuguese manager has candidly admitted that he won’t be afforded the same luxury of time that Mikel Arteta has enjoyed at Arsenal. With the two teams set to face off at Old Trafford on Sunday, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Arteta’s journey at Arsenal has been a rollercoaster. After taking the reins in December 2019, his first two full seasons saw the Gunners finish eighth and fifth. Despite coming tantalizingly close to clinching the Premier League title in 2023 and 2024, Arteta is nearing the five-year mark without adding any new silverware to the club’s cabinet since their FA Cup triumph in 2020.
Amorim, on the other hand, is in the midst of a similar rebuilding project at United. However, he is under no illusions about the patience levels of his employers. “I will not have the time Arteta had,” Amorim told reporters on Friday. “I feel that. It’s a different club, I think it’s a different club. I think in that aspect the way Arteta dealt with that is an inspiration for everybody but I will not have the time like Arteta had.”
Currently, United and Arsenal are separated by a significant 21 points in the Premier League table. The last time these two sides met, Arteta’s Arsenal handed Amorim his first Premier League defeat with a 2-0 victory at the Emirates in December.
Adding to Amorim’s challenges is a crucial Europa League second leg against Real Sociedad looming next Thursday. The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw at the Anoeta, and Amorim has expressed concerns about his injury-hit squad’s ability to cope with the demands of facing Arsenal this weekend. “We need to survive on Sunday,” he said. “The team was so tired in the last 20 minutes [of the first leg against Real Sociedad]. We have to prepare for Sunday and think about this important game for our season on Thursday.”
Amorim is keeping a close eye on his squad’s fitness, particularly with key players like Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte uncertain for the Arsenal clash after missing the first leg against Real Sociedad. On a brighter note, youngster Chido Obi, who has a history with Arsenal, will be back in the squad after being ineligible for the trip to Spain. Additionally, Amorim has hinted at the possibility of Amad Diallo making a return from injury before the season concludes.
- United vs. Arsenal: A crucial match for both teams.
- Amorim’s squad faces injury challenges.
- Fans to protest against club ownership.
Off the pitch, the game against Arsenal will also be marked by a protest by United fans against the club’s ownership. The discontent stems from perceived financial mismanagement, and fans are being urged to wear black as a symbol of their frustration.
“For everybody in our club it’s a really tough moment,” Amorim acknowledged. “It’s everything at the same time. The only thing I can do is and our players can do is perform well and win. People have the right to protest. I think it’s a good thing to do that. It’s part of our club. Everybody has a voice. But our job and my job is just to improve the team and give them something in this moment because they deserve it and they are amazing.”
Originally Written by: Rob Dawson
