Sophia
The pressure cooker at Old Trafford intensified this week as Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim made a candid admission about the emotional toll of his role, revealing that the job sometimes makes him “want to quit.” This comes on the heels of a dismal start to the season, culminating in a shock Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League Two side Grimsby Town.
A Season of Frustration: From Optimism to Uncertainty
Quiet optimism surrounded United in the summer. Amorim, now with a full pre-season under his belt, was expected to fully implement his tactical vision. The club also invested significantly in a new attacking trio – Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Šeško – to bolster their goal-scoring prowess.
However, the season has been a slow burn. An opening Premier League defeat against Arsenal, where United failed to convert dominance into points, was followed by a frustrating 1-1 draw with Fulham. The nadir arrived on Wednesday night with a humiliating Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town, a team three divisions below the Red Devils.
Amorim’s Raw Honesty: “Sometimes I Want to Quit”
In the immediate aftermath of the cup defeat, Amorim made damning comments, stating, “something has to change.” Speaking on Friday ahead of the weekend’s Premier League clash with Burnley at Old Trafford, he reflected on his emotional outburst.
“To be really honest with you guys, every time we had, or have in the future, one defeat like [Grimsby], I’m going to be like that,” the Portuguese coach explained. “I’m going to say sometimes I hate, sometimes I love my players, sometimes I want to defend my players. This is my way of doing things and I’m going to be like that. Sometimes I want to quit, sometimes I want to be here for 20 years.”
Amorim acknowledged the advice he receives about maintaining a more constant and calm demeanor with the media but insisted on staying true to himself.
“I felt in that moment, I was so frustrated and annoyed. I know you have a lot of experienced people talking about the way I should perform with the media—to be more constant, to be more calm. I’m not going to be like that. I am trying to accept that, I’m going to be who I am. That’s why I have the passion that I have. In that moment, I was really upset and really disappointed, because I felt like we had a good pre-season, we were playing better, we were being consistent in the way we played.”
The manager expressed his disappointment with the team’s recent performances, particularly after a promising pre-season.
“We played badly [for] 30 minutes against Fulham, and then that kind of performance [at Grimsby], I was really disappointed with everything. But now, it’s a new game and I’m focused on that.”
A Crucial Home Tie Against Burnley
United’s home form has also been a concern. Having beaten Aston Villa on the final day of last season, they are now searching for only their second home league win since February 26, when Ipswich Town visited Old Trafford. This weekend’s clash against Burnley is therefore vital for both points and morale.
Amorim faces crucial selection decisions. Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško is still awaiting his full Premier League debut, despite starting against Grimsby in midweek. Goalkeeper André Onana also returned in the cup, raising questions about whether he will continue to play second fiddle to Altay Bayındır in the league.
The Road Ahead for Manchester United
The candidness of Amorim’s remarks highlights the immense pressure he is under. As reports suggest, the dressing room is also feeling the strain. The upcoming match against Burnley isn’t just about three points; it’s about restoring confidence, demonstrating progress, and proving that Amorim’s long-term vision for Manchester United is still viable.
