Manchester United is underachieving - Amorim admits

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has openly acknowledged that criticism from club legends is warranted, admitting both he and his team are “underachieving” as pressure continues to build at Old Trafford.

United head into Monday night’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth with the opportunity to break into the top six for a second consecutive week. While that would represent a modest step forward, it underlines the club’s prolonged struggle to return to elite domestic standards.

The Red Devils have not sustained a top-six presence since the conclusion of the 2023–24 season, which ended with a humbling 4–0 defeat to Crystal Palace.

For Amorim, even a top-six spot highlights how far United have fallen from their dominant era under Sir Alex Ferguson, when the club never finished below third following Ferguson’s first league title in 1993.

Asked whether such criticism from club icons affected him, Amorim responded with characteristic honesty.

He said, “I think it’s normal. It’s a fact that as the manager of Manchester United, we are underachieving. We should have more points, especially this season. So, I take that naturally.

“Sometimes they don’t have all the information and see Manchester United with the standards they lived here, always winning. It’s hard for them to see their club in this situation.”

Amorim was clear that the scrutiny itself is not his main concern.

“No. Not winning is the issue. The problem is that I, as a manager, am not doing well enough. That is also a fact, and I can accept that. The only problem for them is that Manchester United is not winning and is not in the position it’s supposed to be. If you are winning, there is no issue,” he added.