Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has been warned some players probably “don’t like him” by Phil Jones, while Michael Owen believes the club remain loyal to him
Ruben Amorim has endured a tough start at Manchester United(Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA, Getty Images)
Michael Owen has believes Manchester United will continue to back Ruben Amorim, despite a suggestion from Phil Jones that some players “don’t like him.”
Amorim has struggled to make his mark at Old Trafford since taking over from Erik ten Hag last November, ending his first season without a trophy and a disappointing 15th-place finish in the Premier League. However, the board has shown faith in the 40-year-old by investing heavily in the squad this summer.
Amorim has been given free rein to spend over £200million to bolster his team, bringing in attacking trio Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, and has also had a full pre-season to get his squad ready for the new Premier League campaign. Former United striker Owen has pointed out that these are clear signs of the club’s commitment to him.
Speaking to A Bola, 45-year-old Owen said: “I think Manchester United is a patient club. Of course, they can’t go year after year without doing things well. Man United gave Ruben Amorim almost a year, and it was a very poor year in the Premier League.
“They’ve never finished so low in the table. Many clubs would say that’s not enough, that they need a new manager. But Manchester United stuck with him, and I think it’s a good decision.
“They spent a lot of money, which shows they have confidence in him. You hear all kinds of rumours, but not about the club wanting to change. They’re showing loyalty, that they believe in the manager. I believe that, in the short term, Ruben Amorim still has the club’s trust.”
Michael Owen believes Manchester United are being patient with Ruben Amorim(Image: PA)
Having secured a loss, a draw and a victory against Arsenal, Fulham and Burnley respectively in their opening three Premier League games, United supporters might question whether Amorim truly represents the correct choice for the position. Additionally, a shock Carabao Cup elimination at the hands of League Two outfit Grimsby Town last month heaped additional scrutiny upon the Portuguese manager.
Despite retiring before Amorim had replaced Ten Hag, Jones has suggested a level of discord within the squad under his watch. Speaking to Ladbrokes, the defender, who made 229 appearances for United from 2011 to 2023, said: “Do I think there were players at United who didn’t like him?
“To be honest, that’s probably a ridiculous question because I’d say there are people in the United team now who don’t like the manager. But there are probably players at Man City who feel the same way about [Pep] Guardiola; they can’t stand him.
Jones has hinted at player unrest(Image: Getty Images)
“There are people like that in every team; these are big groups of players and different personalities, and all of them are competitive, and think they should be playing more than they are. That will never, ever change.
“Even when a manager is flying, there will always be someone going, ‘Well, he’s not playing me, so he’s not good.’ Trust me, I’ve been there myself. I’ve been a young kid moaning about training being rubbish. But in reality, it’s not rubbish; you’re just hurt and you don’t know how to deal with it.”
Amorim now has a reprieve during the international break ahead of United’s next Premier League match – a short trip to Guardiola’s City for the season’s first Manchester derby on Sunday, September 14.
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