Manchester United have struggled for much of Ruben Amorim's tenure so far
(Image: Manchester United via Getty Image)

Ruben Amorim saved from unthinkable Man United decision as £15m clause explained

21 Jan 2025, 18:30 by Dave Powell · Manchester Evening News

Ruben Amorim has been told why he is unlikely to face the sack at Manchester United this season.

The Portuguese has endured a torrid first few months at Old Trafford since arriving from Sporting CP in November. Amorim has won just five of his 15 games in charge of the Reds, who sit 13th in the top-flight table after 22 matches, their lowest-ever position at this stage of a Premier League season.

However, the 39-year-old has overseen memorable wins away at Manchester City and Arsenal, as well as a credible draw against Liverpool at Anfield. It is also widely regarded that Amorim has been dealt a tough hand with a group of players who do not suit the system he was appointed to play at M16.

And Reach PLC's football finance expert, Dave Powell, has explained why, despite poor results, any idea of sacking Amorim is extremely unlikely this season as the Reds look to build a squad more suited to the Portuguese's vision.

“There will be some embarrassment on behalf of INEOS and Ratcliffe to face such questions over their hire after less than three months on the back of another hire of theirs, former sporting director Dan Ashworth, being shown the door at Old Trafford after just five months," he said. "It points to a revolving door culture and raises serious questions about the ability of Ratcliffe and INEOS to recruit key positions effectively.

“Those will be the chief reasons for staying with Amorim for now, but from a PSR perspective, the club’s financial situation will likely also be factored in, given that they don’t have major room for manoeuvre for what is the final year of PSR before it moves to a squad cost ratio.

“United lost £131m before tax in 2023/24. According to projections from football finance expert Swiss Ramble, the club could stand to lose £120m in 2024/25 and still be PSR compliant by the skin of their teeth.

"But without improved player trading before the end of the financial year, with academy graduates such as Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho all available, there is an obvious need to raise funds against the backdrop of a financial year that will include the sacking of Ten Hag as well as the lack of any lucrative income from European football, something which for so long was a key part of United’s revenue streams.

“Sacking Amorim would cost them up to £15m when other members of the backroom team were taken into account. That is a cost that would show up in the 2024/25 accounts and make life even more difficult for United to ensure compliance, particularly if they can’t player-trade their way out of any issues in the final days of January or early weeks of June.

“Patience will likely continue with Amorim, with this season already viewed as a bust. The club won’t go down, nor do they have the required pieces of the puzzle to challenge for Champions League football. The issue will be just how strong fan sentiment gets before they have to make a call.”

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