Ruben Amorim's secret message to Manchester United players has been revealed after they managed to pick up a vital win before the international break. The Portuguese manager is said to have drawn a bold line in the sand at Carrington, demanding 'no more heart attacks' from his players after finally seeing his team deliver a composed, professional performance in their 2-0 victory over Sunderland.
Amorim's dressing room command
Last Saturday’s 2-0 win over Sunderland brought a sigh of relief around Old Trafford. It wasn’t spectacular and it wasn’t wild, but it was exactly what Amorim wanted: measured, organised, and professional. The Portuguese boss, under increasing pressure after a turbulent start to life at Old Trafford, reportedly told his squad behind closed doors that he doesn’t want drama, chaos, or last-minute heroics anymore, just maturity and control. Amorim praised his side for keeping their cool under pressure, and the more calculated style must now become the standard if United want to rediscover their winning rhythm.
A source quoted by said: "Amorim told the players that while the fans want drama, he doesn’t. He was very happy with the Sunderland game, he thought it was a professional performance and different to some of the heart attack-inducing football they have played this season and last. He told them that’s one of the reasons they haven’t been able to string a run of wins together. The games they have been involved in are too mentally draining and that’s causing them problems. Too many heart attack games which is mentally draining. That's what we want. Mature professional performances."
AdvertisementGetty Locked-in and United firmly behind the manager
Despite the noise outside the club, United’s top brass believe the dressing room remains firmly behind Amorim. CEO Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox have both held informal chats with senior players, including skipper Bruno Fernandes, to gauge the squad’s mood. Sources told that while those conversations weren’t designed to test Amorim’s job security, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. The mood around Carrington has improved, and the players appear united in their backing for their boss.
Even after United’s painful 3-1 loss to Brentford last month, Matthijs de Ligt put his weight behind the manager. When questioned about Amorim’s controversial 3-4-2-1 system, the Dutch defender was quick to shut down talk of tactical failure.
"Of course, I mean it's always easy to look to the manager, but in the end the players on the pitch have to do it," said De Ligt. "We can't say the goals we conceded, or the chances we conceded, are because of what… I don't know, you guys always talk about the system. That also has a lot to do with focus, concentration, and, if that's lacking in key moments, it's going to make a difference."
Whereas, after the win over Sunderland, Mount echoed De Ligt's sentiment and added: "We're 100% behind the gaffer. We've had some difficult results that hurt us, have been painful for the team, the staff and the fans, but it was important to win. It needs to be [the start of a winning streak] – we thought after Chelsea it would be the start of something, and then we go to Brentford and have a disappointing result. It starts [with the win over Sunderland], and we'll be working hard over the break. We want to get back-to-back wins, then three in a row and push on for the top four."
Critics circling but Amorim stands tall
With just 20 wins from 50 matches, Amorim’s win rate sits at a worrying 40 per cent, well below United’s sky-high expectations. Hence, outside the club, Amorim remains a lightning rod for criticism. United legends like Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney have taken aim at the club’s performances, with Scholes even suggesting Amorim has been given "too much time."
Speaking on , Scholes said: "I feel like with Ruben Amorim it’s got to the point where we don’t want to talk about sacking managers all the time and Manchester United do give managers enough time. "He’ll never get booed by the fans and it wasn’t until that Brentford game [where they lost 3-1] where I thought, ‘He’s getting a little bit too much time’ and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before things come to an end."
GOALBig test for Man Utd as Anfield awaits
Despite mounting criticism, the message from inside the club is clear: Amorim is safe, for now. The board recognises the turmoil he inherited and is willing to give him more time to steady the ship, especially as the players continue to rally behind him. But patience has its limits. If the new sense of calm doesn’t translate into points soon, questions will return louder than ever. When United return from the international break, they face the biggest test of all: Liverpool at Anfield on October 19. With their arch-rivals licking their wounds after back-to-back defeats, United sense a rare opportunity to strike. A win at Anfield could silence the doubters, reignite their season, and, perhaps most importantly, buy Amorim breathing room in the hot seat.