"The Portuguese coach has made it no secret that his preference was to take the United job in the summer after being identified as Erik ten Hag's replacement. He didn't want to be parachuted in mid-season, believing that his appointment in November would create more problems than it would solve. Yet co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the board had other ideas and told Amorim it was now or never."
"Win, and he's unlikely to get much credit because United should be winning at home to promoted teams like Sunderland -- who are fifth on their return to the top flight, with three wins and two draws in their first six games. Lose or draw, and it will be more fuel for the supporters who have already decided he needs to go. Amorim was surprisingly calm and collected in his news conference after last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Brentford, but he's smart enough to understand that the opportunity to add context to what's happening under his watch has been and gone."
Ruben Amorim preferred a summer appointment but was appointed in November after Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the board insisted it was now or never. The early appointment was intended to give a head-start on restoring Manchester United, but the decision is beginning to look like cutting corners. Amorim has taken 34 points from his first 33 Premier League games and faces acute pressure ahead of Sunderland's visit, his 50th match in charge. Many supporters believe even a win will only delay the inevitable. Recent results include a 3-1 defeat at Brentford and missed penalties that have reduced his chances to provide context.
Read at ESPN.com
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