Paul Merson believes Ruben Amorim will be regretting joining Man Utd and has a feeling the club has privately warned him about his comments.
Ruben Amorim ‘regrets’ Man Utd move. (Image: Getty)
Arsenal legend Paul Merson suggests Ruben Amorim might be questioning his move to join Manchester United, given the team is lingering in the Premier League’s bottom half ahead of their clash with Fulham.
Merson believes that despite taking on more than a decade of dysfunction at Old Trafford, the load of high expectations is weighing heavily on Amorim—but this sentiment doesn’t reflect on his coaching prowess.
On Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday, he pointed out: “This man’s 39 years of age. I mean, there are players just finishing their footballing careers at 38.
“He’s young and in management, really young. He’s done well in Portugal. He’s coming to one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“By far not the best team in the world, but one of the biggest clubs in the world. And he’s finding it hard. The pressure’s on him.
“Someone’s obviously said to him, you need to backtrack on that and start blaming yourself a little bit here because the players won’t have that, they won’t have that, they won’t be sitting there saying that, but it’s gonna be hard for him.
He expressed doubt over Manchester United’s short-term improvements, contrasting it with Tottenham, where he sees potential for upturn.
Paul Merson has sympathised with Ruben Amorim. (Image: Getty)
“I don’t see where this turns around,” Merson continued. “With the Tottenham one, I can see the players when they get back, I think they’ll cause team problems on their day, especially the way they play.”
He added: “I think the manager will be sitting there deep down and thinking, ‘Should I have taken this job?’
“He didn’t want to take it until the end of the season, and I think he’ll be sitting there now thinking. ‘I’m not sure I can do this job.’ I don’t think it’s just him.
“I think any manager, I think you’re looking at Financial Fair Play rules and how far they’re behind now, and look where they are in their league, they’re 13th in the league. Bournemouth have got better players. I mean, when has that ever happened?”
Amorim will be frustrated at the lack of activity regarding incoming transfers this month, with just over a week remaining in the January window.
The Portuguese head coach has identified Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu as his priority target before the February 3 deadline.
However, United have seen a £25million bid rejected by the Serie A side, who are demanding £34m to part ways with the 20-year-old talent.
Meanwhile, Antony has joined Real Betis on loan, and Alejandro Garnacho could be on the way to Chelsea if the Red Devils’ £60m valuation is met in the coming week.
If the Argentine winger were to depart, Amorim would also expect an attacking replacement on top of Dorgu.