AFCON 2025
Manchester United boss, Ruben Amorim has issued a rallying cry to his underperforming squad, insisting he needs more “unpredictable characters” to turn the club’s fortunes around.
The Red Devils have made another poor start to the Premier League season, sitting 14th despite yet another summer of heavy investment which brought in Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Hopes of a resurgence have quickly faded, with United managing just seven points from six games and crashing out of the Carabao Cup in humiliating fashion after losing a marathon penalty shootout to League Two side Grimsby Town.
The pressure on Amorim is mounting fast. Wayne Rooney accused him of “bluffing his way” into the job, while Jamie Carragher has called his reign a “disaster” and predicted an inevitable sacking. But the Portuguese coach remains defiant and refuses to alter his trademark 3-4-3 setup.
Speaking to TNT Sports’ Owen Hargreaves, Amorim claimed the real issue lies with mentality rather than tactics.
“We’ve got leaders but what we’re missing are the wild ones,” he said. “You need players who don’t care who they’re up against, who grab the ball and change the game with pure instinct. Matheus Cunha has that in him. Bryan Mbeumo too — guys who haven’t been weighed down by the past.”
Amorim suggested some long-serving United players struggle when setbacks hit, calling for personalities who thrive in chaos rather than retreat when pressure builds.
“We need people who say, ‘Give me the ball, I’ll fix it,’ even when everything’s going wrong. Not just captains — mavericks.”
Despite the turmoil, Amorim insists United’s aim remains qualification for European football. He believes the performances are close to clicking, but time may be running out.
A crunch clash with high-flying Sunderland is up next. Another defeat ahead of the international break — and with Liverpool looming afterwards — could push the club’s hierarchy into making a decisive call on his future.
