There is “no point” in sacking Ruben Amorim, with just one key area they must improve, according to Premier League icon and former Manchester United, Leeds and Newcastle midfielder Alan Smith.
Amorim received the full backing from minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe on Wednesday, who insisted he would like the former Sporting Lisbon boss see out his three-year contract at least.
"Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years," he told The Business Podcast produced by The Times and The Sunday Times.
However, United currently find themselves 10th in the league, having won and lost three times and drawn another. But there have been clear issues and a lack of coherence in some games.
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Amorim’s last six victories in the Premier League - he has just 10 to his name - have all been against a side with 10 men or a relegated or promoted team.
The lack of improvements on the pitch has led to some fans already calling for Amorim’s head.
Ruben Amorim looks set to stay at Old Trafford for at least three years | REUTERSEven former players have had their say; Wayne Rooney spoke on his BBC podcast admitting he has “no faith” that Amorim will be able to turn the dire situation around, while Gary Neville criticised the Portuguese’s strict stubbornness over his 3-4-3 formation.
Jamie Carragher has also previously described his tenure as "a disaster”, adding that his sacking is “inevitable”.
Manchester United beat Sunderland 2-0 at the weekend
|REUTERS
Smith, who made 93 appearances for the Red Devils, doesn’t see “any point” in making such a decision, pinpointing the key area his former club must improve on if they are to pursue European football again.
Speaking exclusively to GB News via the home of best casino sites igaming.com, Smith said: “If you've let [Amorim] go this long, for me, I don't feel there's any point changing it at this moment in time.
“It depends on the ownership group, what their expectations are, or what they want. I think it'd be easy to say get rid of him, but then are you just starting from scratch again?
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Former Manchester United midfielder Alan Smith believes there is 'no point' in sacking Ruben Amorim
|PA
“It will be interesting behind the scenes, what the actual remit is for the manager. I'm sure they know, I'm sure that he knows what their expectancy is this season, and what their expectancy is going forward.
“Is he there, and it sounds crazy, but is he there from a business point of view to make sure that the balance sheet looks good? Is he there to say, we've got to finish top four? We will find out either when they make a decision, or at the end of the season.”
So, if United are to stick with Amorim, where do they need to improve?
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“Just in away form,” Smith continued.
“Maybe the way they approach away games, they look still a little bit open. I saw the game against Brentford, and the back three [Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt] are defending so high. They’re against so much pace, which isn't the biggest strength of the back three.
“If their away form picks up, then I think they'll do okay and they’ll have a chance of finishing in the top four.
“At Old Trafford, they beat Chelsea, they won comfortably against Sunderland the other day, they beat Burnley. I don't think the home form has been the issue.”
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Manchester United have had a mixed start to the season, failing to win any of their away matches
| REUTERSBack in the summer of 2004, Smith controversially swapped his boyhood club Leeds for the red of Manchester United, crossing the divide of a fierce and bitter rivalry.
And the now-44-year-old believes his former side has a chance to break the trend and survive in what, in the early stages of the season, appears to be a thrilling relegation battle already starting to heat up.
“I can see Leeds staying up. I think that I would say yes from what I've seen. The hardest thing for Leeds is when they’re solid, they don't look like they’re going to score. And when they’re a bit more expansive, they look a bit like they could concede,” he revealed.
“I always relate that to George Grahams of this world, when he was at Leeds, and Howard Wilkinson, because they're the ones I remember.
“It was always clean sheets first, and then worry about the rest after.
“All the teams - Sunderland, Burnley, Leeds - who've gone up have all been competitive.”
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