Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has responded to the recent negative comments from several ex-players, including Paul Scholes’ claim that “I don’t think he’s the right man [for the job]”.
Amorim was speaking in a press conference ahead of his side’s Premier League fixture against Bournemouth when asked if he had an issue with former players criticising him and his side.
United head into the match knowing a win over Andoni Iraola’s side will see them remain in the top six of the league, which, considering they finished 15th in the 2024/25 campaign, is a relative success.
Despite the improvement in the Red Devils’ fortunes, Amorim has claimed that the club is still “underachieving” while also addressing negative comments from former players, including ex-United midfielder Scholes, who won 11 Premier League titles during Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign as manager.
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Speaking on The Good, The Bad, The Football podcast alongside fellow United legend Nicky Butt and TV personality Paddy McGuinness, Scholes claimed that Amorim doesn’t understand the club before taking issue with his style of play.
“I just don’t think he’s the right man,” said Scholes. “Man United is about risk and entertainment, more than anything. Having fans on the edge of their seats, f***ing ready to go. Wingers who beat people. Shots on goal. Bits of skill. There’s nothing there. That’s from the club.”
The former midfielder then suggested that several members of the club’s hierarchy, including CEO Omar Berrada and Director of Football Jason Wilcox, may be great at their jobs but “don’t have a clue what it’s like to buy a Manchester player [or] to bring a Manchester United manager in”.
And without naming Scholes directly, Amorim has responded to the criticism from former players by saying “I think it’s normal” before going on to say that his side should “have more points” despite being in the European places.
“It's a fact that me, as a manager of Manchester United, I think we are underachieving. We should have more points, especially this season,” Amorim said.
“So, I take that naturally.
"Sometimes they don't have all the information and see Manchester United with the standards they lived here, always winning. It's hard for them to see their club in this situation."
The Portuguese also said that “not winning is the issue” when asked if the criticism makes his job more difficult.
Following Monday’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth, United face a trip to the in-form Aston Villa on Sunday, 21 December, before welcoming Newcastle United to Old Trafford on Boxing Day (December 26).
Topics: Manchester United, Ruben Amorim, Paul Scholes, Premier League, Football
Luke Davies