Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is facing a major crisis after a poor start to the season, reaching a new low with a 3-1 defeat against Brentford. 

This loss, which leaves United struggling in the league, has led to heavy criticism from former players and experts who feel Amorim’s system is not working. 

While the club’s board is currently supporting him, the pressure is growing rapidly, with a huge £12 million payment due if he is fired soon. 

His job now rests on the results of the next few crucial matches, especially with a tough game against Liverpool coming up.

The Saturday defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium showcased familiar issues for United, particularly defensive fragility and a lack of control. 

Brentford’s striker Igor Thiago netted twice in the opening 20 minutes, exploiting the Red Devils’ backline from a long ball and then a follow-up from a saved shot. 

Though new signing Benjamin Sesko registered his first goal for the club to halve the deficit before halftime, the comeback was stymied when captain Bruno Fernandes saw his second-half penalty saved by Brentford’s Caoimhin Kelleher. 

Matthias Jensen sealed the 3-1 victory for the Bees in stoppage time. 

United’s inability to win consecutive Premier League matches since May 2024 highlights a deep-rooted inconsistency, a trait that has worsened under Amorim. 

The team’s away form is particularly worrying, with no league win in their last eight attempts.

The club’s predicament has been met with fierce criticism from former players and football analysts. 

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher offered a scathing assessment on Monday Night Football, calling Amorim’s time at United a “disaster” for both the club and the manager himself. 

Carragher argued the club’s hierarchy should “shake hands and move on,” believing that a “competent manager gets them in Europe.” 

He also questioned the suitability of Amorim’s favored 3-4-2-1 system to the club’s tradition and squad.

Former United legend Wayne Rooney has also expressed his concern, stating he does not see “players fighting” or showing “character,” suggesting the “soul has gone” from the team. 

The pressure is compounded by Amorim’s overall record of 18 wins and 19 losses across all 49 competitions, with his 27.3% Premier League win rate a stark contrast to his highly successful spell in Portugal. 

His persistent use of the 3-4-3 formation, including placing players like Mason Mount at wing-back, has been highlighted as a sign of tactical stubbornness that is failing the players.

Despite the growing fan unrest and punditry pressure, reports suggest that the club’s new leadership structure, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada, and Jason Wilcox, is currently maintaining support for the manager. 

However, the financial implications of a change are clear: a reported £12 million compensation clause would be triggered if Amorim were sacked before November 1, 2025.

In the background, names like Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler, and Andoni Iraola are being linked as potential successors, with Glasner’s success using the same 3-4-3 formation at Palace making him a noteworthy option. 

United’s upcoming fixtures are a tightrope walk: a home game against Sunderland on October 4, followed by a daunting trip to league leaders Liverpool after the international break. 

These matches will be crucial in determining whether the board’s faith in Amorim can hold or if the mounting pressure will force an early and costly new direction for the club.