Former Liverpool defender and current Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Carragher, has voiced his disagreement with Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's recent public comments. According to Carragher, Ratcliffe may have made a significant error in his remarks that could potentially harm the club.
Earlier this month, Sir Jim Ratcliffe publicly expressed his support for beleaguered United manager Ruben Amorim. Despite acknowledging that the Portuguese coach has not had an impressive season so far, he pledged to give him three years to prove himself and turn things around at Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe also criticized the media for their hasty reactions towards the club's performance under Amorim. The 72-year-old billionaire identified Amorim as INEOS' top choice to replace Erik ten Hag in October 2024. However, despite his unwavering support for Amorim, patience might be tested as the Portuguese tactician continues to grapple with consistency issues.
Struggles of Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford
Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford has been fraught with challenges. Critics attribute many of these difficulties to his rigid adherence to a 3-4-3 system. His substitution decisions have also come under fire — problems reminiscent of those faced during Ten Hag’s final months in charge.
Under Amorim's leadership so far this term, United have lost three out of seven Premier League games played. A particularly low point was a humiliating Carabao Cup exit against fourth-tier Grimsby Town — an outcome that sent shockwaves through Manchester United fans worldwide.
The upcoming Premier League match against Liverpool is seen as pivotal for both the team and its manager. If they manage a win against their fiercest rivals following their inconsistent performance thus far, it could provide the much-needed respite for Amorim.
Carragher's criticism of Ratcliffe's remarks
Despite Ratcliffe’s public backing of Amorim, Carragher remains unconvinced. The former Liverpool defender argues that Ratcliffe’s comments may have done more harm than good, potentially adding to the pressure on both the manager and the team.
Jamie Carragher, Liverpool manager, said:
“I understand what he (Ratcliffe) is trying to do. He comes out to defend his manager, and he talks about three years. But he almost does not help him by saying that because nobody believes it. Nobody believes that Ruben Amorim will be the manager of Manchester United in three years.
“If he had said that ‘we have got no plans to change our coach for the next 12 months’, I would think okay, maybe they are looking to get to the end of the season. If the results keep going the way they are going, Amorim will lose his job, unfortunately. Even if Ratcliffe has come out to help him, I don’t think he has helped him in the end.”
While Sir Jim Ratcliffe stands firmly behind Ruben Amorim amidst criticism and a challenging season, voices like Jamie Carragher question whether this support is beneficial or detrimental to Manchester United. As sports fans and sports betting enthusiasts watch closely, only time will tell if Amorim can turn things around at Old Trafford.
