The air is becoming unbreathable at Manchester United, and the international break has changed nothing. Despite a saving victory against Sunderland, Ruben Amorim remains under fire from criticism before a perilous trip to Anfield. His debut in the Premier League is struggling to convince, and the former Sporting Lisbon coach already seems to be feeling the pinch. The climate is tense, doubts are setting in, and some observers are starting to wonder if the Portuguese has the shoulders for a bench as hot as that of Old Trafford.
At a press conference before the truce, Amorim let his annoyance show. The United manager spoke about the constant criticism surrounding his playing system and how it affected his players. Attempting to assert his authority, he declared that his men must “believe in himself rather than outside opinions”. An outing which immediately sparked a reaction, notably a certain Emmanuel Petit, never the last to step up to the plate when it comes to defending high-level culture.
Little smash without restraint
Questioned by Boyle Sport, the former Arsenal and Blues midfielder did not mince his words. “Ruben Amorim is talking nonsense. His players know it too,” he said before driving the point home: “When you coach Manchester United, you have to accept criticism. If we can't do it, then we change clubs. » For Petit, mental fragility has no place at this level: “Stop paying attention to what people say on the networks. Focus on the game, not the noise. »
Petit destroys Amorim: “At Manchester United, we must have shoulders”
The former 1998 world champion did not stop there, believing that Manchester United's real crisis is playing out in people's heads: “Too many players lack the character and personality to change the situation”he denounced, inviting everyone to “look in the mirror and be honest”. A strong statement, which highlights the gap between the winning culture of yesteryear and the current attitude of the Red Devils, often perceived as amorphous and vulnerable.
Amorim faces its greatest test
Under the crossfire of the media, supporters and now former players, Ruben Amorim may be playing on his credibility this weekend against Liverpool. A win at Anfield could offer him some respite, but the red line already seems close. As Emmanuel Petit reminded us, Manchester United is not a club for the faint of heart: here, you win or you leave.
