Critics of Ruben Amorim will point to his achievements in the Premier League. Manchester United have won just six of their 24 Premier League games since Amorim took charge. More than half of them have ended in defeat (14).
Since Amorim was appointed last November, only Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton - all of whom have been relegated - have won fewer games than Man United. His 37.8% winning rate in all competitions is much lower than his predecessors David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Erik ten Hag.
That number is even slightly lower than Ralf Rangnick's 37.9% winning rate during his interim tenure in the 2021-2022 season.
Most Man United fans like Amorim and the way he handles work. However, some have questioned whether the 40-year-old has done well enough to get the key to the club's future. The budget is tight and Man United cannot let mistakes happen in the transfer decision.
One of Amorim's tactical problems is that he does not show the necessary flexibility. He has repeatedly said that he has "an idea" and is always persistent with it.
Eddie Howe has occasionally adjusted Newcastle's tactics this season to use a 5-man defense - especially effective in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal. Ange Postecoglou also became more practical in the Europa League final against Man United, where he saw Spurs win the championship.
Meanwhile, Amorim has refused to make compromises even when the plan is ineffective.
Amorim always prioritizes players in specific positions, whether as a full-back or a winger. The transfer at Old Trafford was carried out by the board, but Amorim stressed on the first day of work that he needed a big voice.
But what if the "Red Devils" continue to improve despite Amorim's voice in the transfer window. This will see Man United's bosses make a decision in October or November - just like they did with Ten Hag this season.
If things don't go well for Amorim, Man United can find a replacement to return to the 4-3-3 formation and request another player profile in the transfer market. Of course, that would put them in front of another rebuild.
Meanwhile, Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool will get better and better, and the gap with the top teams will get bigger and bigger.
Sources told ESPN that Man United's owners felt Amorim's reign was more difficult than they expected. They were hoping for some improvement and at least in the Premier League, but that did not happen.
Worryingly, Amorim's poor domestic form has put Amorim under great pressure since the start of next season. In that sense, there were similarities with Ten Hag last summer and ended with the Dutch captain being sacked before Christmas.
"We have to reconsider. I understand what you say, and I have said it before. At this time, I am not here to justify myself. That's not my style, I can't do that.
This is really difficult for me. I have nothing to show fans or say, "I will improve for this reason, I have these problems". I'm not going to do anything.
Right now, it's just a little faith, so let's see. As I said before coming here, I was always open. If the board and the fans felt I was not the right person, I would leave the next day without any talks about compensation, but I would not resign.
Once again, I am very confident in my work and as you can see, I will not change the way I work" - Amorim said.
