Amorim Warns United Board Against Interference

• Ruben Amorim says he came to manage, not just coach
• He suggests senior figures must stop crossing into his remit
• He says he will not quit, even under pressure

Ruben Amorim has publicly challenged Manchester United’s hierarchy, asking to be allowed to do his job without interference.

The United head coach raised concerns on Friday about issues behind the scenes. He returned to the same theme at Elland Road, waiting until the final question of his post match news conference after the 1-1 draw with Leeds United to deliver his clearest message.

“I just want to say I came here to be the manager, not to be the coach,” he said.

“In every department – the scouting department, the sporting director – [they] need to do their job. I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on.

“I just want to say that I’m going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach. I was really clear on that. That is going to finish in 18 months and then everyone is going to move on. That was the deal. That is my job. Not to be a coach.”

He added: “If people cannot handle the Gary Nevilles and the criticisms of everything, we need to change the club.”

Neville is among several former United players who have criticised the club in recent weeks. The former captain described the home draw with bottom of the table Wolves on 30 December as “the baddest of the bad”.

Last month, Paul Scholes said Amorim “doesn’t get” Manchester United, pointing to the head coach’s preference for a back three with wing backs, a shape Scholes believes clashes with the club’s long running identity.

Amorim switched to a back four for the win over Newcastle on Boxing Day, then returned to a back three in the matches that followed, including at Leeds.

A recent report claimed Christopher Vivell, United’s head of recruitment, urged Amorim to adapt his system following a detailed explanation from Fulham manager Marco Silva on how he planned to counter it after the 1 to 1 draw at Craven Cottage in August.

Amorim has previously said there have been disagreements with the club over transfer targets, and there have been growing suggestions of tension involving director of football Jason Wilcox.

Asked directly whether he still feels he has the confidence of the United hierarchy, Amorim answered with another pointed statement.

“To start with that, I noticed that you received selective information about everything.

“I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United. That is clear.

“I know that my name is not [Thomas] Tuchel, it’s not [Antonio] Conte, it’s not [Jose] Mourinho, but I’m the manager of Manchester United. And it’s going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decides to change.

“I’m not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me.”

United announced Amorim as head coach when he succeeded Erik ten Hag on 1 November 2024. Club officials have tried to present a united front, yet Amorim’s comments have again put internal decision making under scrutiny.

On the pitch, Amorim has maintained that the club is moving in the right direction, despite just one win in five games and three in 11.