It has emerged that Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim reportedly had to be persuaded not to resign early into his reign at the club, following a difficult start at Old Trafford.
Fortunes in the Premier League have never picked up for Amorim since he arrived in November 2024, as Man United have continued to stumble down the table in the past few months.
A 1-0 defeat at Chelsea on Friday night leaves the Red Devils down in 16th, just one point ahead of their Europa League final opponents Tottenham Hotspur in 17th.
The best finish Man United can manage is 14th, which will still be their worst ever in the Premier League era, and the lowest since they were relegated, finishing 21st, in the 1973-74 season.
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Amorim 'considered walking away' from the job
ESPN claim that the likes of Chief Executive Omar Berrada had to persuade Amorim not to walk away from the job, after being so overwhelmed with the task on his hands early on.
The report states that Amorim began to have second thoughts about continuing in January, by which point Man United had won just one in nine in the Premier League under the Portuguese manager.
That run included a run of four successive defeats, including elimination from the EFL Cup, and feeble home defeats to Bournemouth and Newcastle United.
Berrada was one who offered assurances to Amorim that he would be supported in the transfer market, in order to shape the squad in the way he wishes ahead of next season.
That began with the acquisition of Patrick Dorgu in January, and there are strong rumours linking both Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap to bolster an attack that has misfired this season, with just 42 goals in 37 Premier League games.
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Will Amorim remain in charge next season?
It looks as though Ange Postecoglou could depart Tottenham Hotspur after the Europa League final on Wednesday, but even if Man United suffer defeat in Bilbao, the club are set to keep Amorim in charge for next season.
While there have been numerous issues to contend with though, Man United look set to offer further assurance for the manager in the market, with club legend David Beckham urging the club to support the Portuguese.
Even though it will be Man United's worst Premier League campaign on record, with no back-to-back wins all season, their fewest wins, fewest points and most defeats, the Europa League could be their saving grace.
The Red Devils are the only club across all three of UEFA's club competitions to have not lost on the continent this season, remaining unbeaten after 14 matches in the Europa League so far.
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Andrew Delaney
