Ruben Amorim has insisted he still enjoys the full backing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe despite Manchester United’s worst start to a season in more than three decades.
The Portuguese head coach is under growing scrutiny after United collected just four points from their opening four Premier League games and crashed out of the Carabao Cup to League Two side Grimsby Town.
The pressure intensified further following last weekend’s 3-0 defeat in the Manchester derby – a result that left the fallen giants languishing in 14th place.
Ratcliffe, United’s minority owner and INEOS chief, made a dramatic visit to Carrington on Thursday, flying in by helicopter for talks with Amorim, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
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The meeting is believed to have focused on the team’s sluggish start and the steps required to steady the campaign before it unravels further.
Asked about the discussions with Ratcliffe, Amorim joked: “He offered me a new contract!
"No, it was a normal thing to show the support, explaining that it's a long project, which he has said many times.
“We spoke about normal things with Omar, Jason and him. It was a normal meeting and we had several.
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Ruben Amorim has been left frustrated following Man United's poor start to the season
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“In this moment it's normal for you to pay attention to that. This is the football club with maybe more pressure than any other in the world and we want to win.”
United have not started a league season this poorly since 1991-92, a campaign that ultimately ended with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side finishing second.
Amorim, however, maintains that progress is being made in their performances, even if results have been slow to follow.
“Last year I was very critical of the way we play,” Amorim admitted ahead of Saturday’s crucial clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford.
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“I think we are playing well until the boxes.
“Defending and attacking, we need to be more aggressive in the boxes. We need to be more clinical.
"We are in a better place compared to last year but we need to win.”
Amorim also addressed questions over Alejandro Garnacho, who was controversially sold to Chelsea in the summer.
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Ruben Amorim will welcome back Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha for Man United's clash with Chelsea
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The United boss avoided any public reflection on the Argentine’s departure and instead focused on the return of two key players.
“Garnacho is not our player,” Amorim said firmly.
“I'm focused on our players.
"I'm really happy with Mason [Mount] and [Matheus] Cunha returning, that is my focus – the rest you have to talk with the Chelsea manager.”
Saturday’s fixture is seen as pivotal for Amorim, whose future will again come under the microscope if United suffer another defeat.
The meeting with Ratcliffe may have given him short-term assurances, but the next three games – against Chelsea, Brentford and Sunderland – could prove decisive in determining whether the club’s new hierarchy stay the course with their manager.
United and Chelsea played out a 1-1 draw in the same fixture last season.
Ruben Amorim refused to discuss Alejandro Garnacho ahead of Man Utd's clash with Chelsea
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Bruno Fernandes put the Red Devils ahead in the 70th minute, with Moises Caicedo then levelling for the Blues.
Back in May, Chelsea beat United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in the reverse fixture.
Defender Marc Cucurella netted the only goal of the game for Enzo Maresca's team.