Manchester United’s stance on under-fire boss Ruben Amorim has been revealed, as the Portuguese remains defiant on his style of play and tactical set up during their difficult spell.
The Red Devils, run by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have “no plans” to make a rash decision and change head coach despite the slow start to the season.
United have got off to their worst start to a league season in 33 years - they have won just one of their opening four games and already find themselves knocked out of the Carabao Cup in humiliating fashion against Grimsby of League Two.
Their sole victory, a 3-2 home win against newly-promoted Burnley, saw them squander their lead twice before needing a stoppage-time penalty from Bruno Fernandes to win the game.
Manchester United’s stance on under-fire boss Ruben Amorim has been revealed, as the Portuguese remains defiant on his style of play and tactical set up
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The signs are worrying, and are even more prominent given that Amorim has now had a full pre-season and spent in excess of £200million improving the squad.
While Amorim knows the board are very patient with him - they feel as though they are losing out by small margins and that a turn of form is therefore around the corner - there is a general understanding that things must improve quickly, given the dire situation they find themselves in yet again.
With their failure to secure European football last year and an early cup exit, the Red Devils' only real chance of silverware is the FA Cup, and it's only September.
But the boss maintains his insistence on playing his system and his style of play, declaring after the Manchester derby: "I am not going to change my philosophy. I play my way and I am going to play my way.”
Benjamin Sesko made his full Premier League debut for the club on Sunday and there is a sense that he is beginning to feel more comfortable, albeit with minimal service
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The Portuguese boss added: "I understand the frustration and I understand the decisions that come with that. I take the critics. That's it.
"My message to fans: I will do everything. Always thinking about what is best for the club. Until I'm here, I'll do my best. The rest is not my decision.”
Although there is pessimism currently shrouding the club, United have endured through a tough fixture list at the start of this season.
Hosting Arsenal on the opening day, followed by a trip to Craven Cottage, United then played bitter local rivals Man City at the Etihad and are due to host Chelsea next week.
Manchester UNited have won just eight Premier League games under Ruben Amorim
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It means Amorim’s side will have played three of the traditional top six in their opening five league fixtures.
Former United full-back and captain Gary Neville warned that the match against Enzo Maresca’s side this weekend could be crucial for Amorim to lift some of the intense pressure that he is undoubtedly feeling off his shoulders.
“We can't be getting into October where Man Utd are 14th or 15th in the league, otherwise the manager will be in trouble. They have to start winning quickly,” Neville explained on Sky Sports.
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“Next week, if they lose [against Chelsea], they would go to 15th or 16th. It's five games in and before you know it, you're in October and they're in the bottom half of the table. And that's where they can't be, having spent £200million and giving him a pre-season.”
The 50-year-old expressed he was “very worried” for the manager’s position because United fans have “seen this before”.
However, recent revelations confirm that United are in no rush to sack their head coach and his job remains safe for the foreseeable future.
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Alejandro Garnacho made his debut for Chelsea on Saturday evening, and will return to Old Trafford at the weekend
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It is noted that an improvement in performances must be seen quickly, and would be welcomed if that began against Chelsea this weekend, but they are not looking to give a knee-jerk reaction.
United will face a Chelsea side that are coming off the back of conceding a last-gasp equaliser at Brentford last week, but enter the game unbeaten so far this campaign and find themselves fifth in the table at this early stage.
It is a quick return to Old Trafford for Alejandro Garnacho, who made his Blues debut at the Gtech Community Stadium and set up Moises Caicedo for his edge-of-the-box cracker to put them ahead moments from time.
Garnacho was a member of Amorim’s “bomb squad” - those told they were no longer wanted at the club. Whether that is a decision that the club regrets is yet to be seen, but the Argentine will surely have a point to prove.
But Amorim must start proving his worth quickly, too. The patience that has been shown to him by the United board, while continuing to be unwavering, will undoubtedly start to wear thin soon.