Manchester United's boss Ruben Amorim has acknowledged that criticism from the club's former players is justified, given his disappointing tenure at Old Trafford so far.
With merely 18 victories from 49 matches since taking charge, the Portuguese has accepted that legendary figures, such as Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney, have every right to question his performance.
The 39-year-old coach has managed only nine Premier League wins from 33 attempts and has failed to secure back-to-back victories in the competition on any occasion.
His overall record includes 19 defeats, placing him among the least successful managers in the club's recent history.
The criticism has intensified this week, after the Red Devils’ sobering defeat at Brentford, with Wayne Rooney declaring that "the soul has gone" from his former club during his BBC podcast appearance on Tuesday.
United's record goalscorer expressed his lack of confidence in Amorim's ability to reverse the decline.
"I honestly hope he can turn it around, and he does. But if you're saying to me: 'Do you believe he will?' then, after everything I've seen, honestly, I've got no faith in it," Rooney stated.
Jamie Carragher echoed these sentiments on Sky's Monday Night Football, labelling the appointment "a disaster" and advocating for immediate action. Gary Neville has also criticised Amorim's strict stubbornness over his 3-4-3 formation.
Wayne Rooney declaring that "the soul has gone" from Manchester United during his podcast 'The Wayne Rooney Show'
|YOUTUBE
Carragher has already suggested that "the quicker Manchester United make the decision on the manager, I think it's better for everybody," warning that the club is "only waiting for the inevitable".
Speaking ahead of Saturday's fixture against Sunderland, Amorim conceded that intense scrutiny comes when results fall so significantly short of expectations - particularly at Old Trafford.
JUST IN: Ange Postecoglou's future could be decided next week after woeful start at Nottingham Forest
Jamie Carragher believes it is only a matter of time before Ruben Amorim leaves Manchester United
|SKY SPORTS
"It is normal," the Portuguese stated when questioned about Rooney's recent comments.
"You can't run away from the results.
"It's not the time to say, it is the time to show," he declared.
**SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE DAILY GB NEWS SPORTS NEWSLETTER HERE**
Ruben Amorim admitted that the recent criticism of his side was justified
|SKY SPORTS
The manager dismissed the relevance of the previous campaign, saying: "Then you have the baggage from last season, [although] last season for me doesn't matter."
When pressed about what reassurances he could provide to supporters yearning for improvement, Amorim maintained his stance that demonstrations on the pitch must replace promises.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Manchester United lost against Brentford at the weekend, their third defeat of the Premier League season already
|REUTERS
The pressure continues to mount with United languishing in 14th position after securing just seven points from the first six league matches this campaign.
Saturday's home clash with newly-promoted Sunderland, who currently sit fifth, represents a crucial test.
Regis Le Bris’ side entered the contest following their scalping of Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest in their own backyard and have lost just once since their long-awaited return to the Premier League, a 2-0 defeat against fellow newly-promoted side Burnley.
Senior Old Trafford sources maintain that Sir Jim Ratcliffe continues to back Amorim, yet defeat against the Black Cats would trigger fresh speculation about his future.
The timing could prove particularly damaging, with a two-week international break immediately following.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter