From Portugal: What’s being said about Ruben Amorim and Manchester United future

Manchester United’s 3-1 defeat at Brentford has intensified scrutiny on manager Ruben Amorim, with Portuguese outlets delivering damning verdicts on his tenure. Amorim, once hailed as one of Europe’s brightest coaching prospects, now finds himself “in hot water” according to Correio da Manhã, with pressure mounting at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese press framed United’s loss as part of a deeper decline rather than a one-off setback. A Bola’s Sunday edition carried the headline: “Is this the new normal?” The paper declared that United losing no longer surprises anyone, adding: “Another day, another defeat.”

They criticised the Red Devils for “disorganisation and an inability to respond to the opposition’s play,” suggesting that Amorim has failed to establish a coherent identity since arriving in Manchester.

O Jogo went even further, describing United’s situation as a “fatal attraction to the abyss” — a dramatic claim that the team is regressing instead of progressing. Record kept it short and blunt: “Amorim falls again.”

Portuguese coverage has also focused on statistics that highlight just how poor Amorim’s United record has become. Record and Correio da Manhã both noted that Amorim has now lost 17 Premier League matches, more than his total defeats combined during spells at Sporting CP and Braga (14).

Such figures, they argue, are “worrying numbers that call into question his continuity.” This statistical comparison has struck a chord back home, where Amorim’s reputation remains tied to his domestic success in Portugal.

Jornal de Notícias suggested the situation is now “contagious,” spreading beyond Amorim to his captain Bruno Fernandes, who is enduring his own struggles. Portuguese outlets collectively point to a culture of losing taking root at Old Trafford, with little evidence of improvement in playing style or mentality.

While Amorim has insisted to Portuguese media this week that his “head is fully on the job,” the growing consensus is that Manchester United are getting worse under his stewardship rather than better.

FootballPlace analyst John William said the Portuguese coverage reflects wider truths. “When your home press — usually your biggest backers — start questioning your future, the warning signs are clear. Amorim’s numbers in England are bleak, and the fact they’re worse than his records in Braga and Lisbon shows how much he’s struggling to adapt.”

He added: “This isn’t just about results anymore, it’s about culture. The Portuguese media are right — United look disorganised and devoid of confidence. Unless results improve immediately, Amorim’s position will become untenable.”

United’s board must weigh whether to persist with Amorim’s project amid mounting criticism or consider a change to halt the slide.

For Amorim, the pressure has never been greater. Support in Portugal — once his strongest backing — is now fraying. Without a turnaround in results, his future at Old Trafford looks increasingly uncertain.

👉 Should Manchester United stick with Ruben Amorim to turn things around, or is it time to cut ties before the season collapses?