“I can read body language" - Pundit claims Ruben Amorim wants to be sacked by Manchester United after Manchester City loss

Pundit Gabriel Agbonlahor believes Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim wants to be sacked. He said that the way the Portuguese coach has been talking in the media indicates that he wants to leave.

Amorim was appointed the Red Devils' manager in October 2024 following Erik ten Hag's sacking. He has overseen 31 Premier League games, winning just eight, with four of them coming against newly-promoted sides. United have won just one of their opening five games across competitions this season.

Manchester United last suffered a 3-0 defeat against city rivals Manchester City at the Etihad in the Premier League on Sunday, September 14. Meanwhile, on talkSPORT, Agbonlahor criticized Amorim and said:

“The club’s in a mess. And if there’s ever a manager who has shown in his recent press conferences he wants to be sacked, it’s Ruben Amorim. I can read body language. I can read the way managers speak. The way he’s talking, the formation I’m going to stick with. If he does, if he wants anything different, you get rid of the manager."

“Who speaks like that? If I’m the Manchester United hierarchy, I’m like, is this guy serious? Serious. He will be sacked this season. I really don’t see him changing. And he keeps saying the same things. He’ll change the personnel. He won’t change the formation and you’ll change one of the centre halves every single game.”

Manchester United were also eliminated from the EFL Cup second round, losing on penalties against League Two side Grimsby Town.

Pundit says Manchester United need to change Ruben Amorim if he doesn't change things

The Red Devils finished 15th in the Premier League last season and lost in the UEFA Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur. They have also had a poor start to this season. However, after the Manchester Derby defeat, Ruben Amorim asserted that he will not change his playing style.

Former Liverpool right-back Steve Nicol has said that United need to "change" the Portuguese head coach in that case. He said on ESPN FC:

“Well, they need to change him (Amorim) then. There’s no point waiting. He’s basically saying, ‘next time we step on the field, this is what we’re dishing out again because I’m not changing anything’. There’s nobody in the United team that’s going to change anything either. It looks a little bit like self preservation, to be honest, because there’s certainly no team (there)."

Manchester United will next face Chelsea at home in the Premier League on Saturday, September 20.

About the author

Aditya has been working as a European football journalist and editor for Sportskeeda for close to 4 years. He boasts a total experience of over 7 years, and always aims to inculcate proper context in his articles, making the most of his prior stints in writing and marketing across a number of different industries over the years. He has also played football at college level for 2 years.

A B.Tech. graduate, Aditya's journey as an ardent football fan began after watching the elegant maestro Zinedine Zidane in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and his infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi in the final. He has been a fan of Tottenham Hotspur's front foot and creative football since 2008 and connect's with the club's underdog status.

Aditya, who is a Sportskeeda 'Long-form Editor of the Month' award winner, is a big admirer of Luka Modric's elegant and hard-working style of play. His favorite manager is Carlo Ancelotti because the Italian allows his players enough freedom in an age where micromanagement is the established norm.

Aditya feels Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala could replicate the Messi-Ronaldo rivalry due to their incredible collective potential. In his free time, he likes to read classical fiction, travel to places, and explore a variety of foods.

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Edited by Aditya Singh