An “incredible” manager has now been shortlisted as a potential target to replace Ruben Amorim, with the Manchester United boss now under significant pressure.
Man Utd compile new manager shortlist amid Amorim uncertainty
Amorim would’ve been hoping the 2-1 victory over Chelsea could’ve been an early turning point in the season, but normal service was resumed in the trip to Brentford at the weekend, with his side falling to a 3-1 defeat at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Having taken just seven points from their opening six games, there are very few signs of improvement from last season, with Man United sitting 14th in the Premier League table, and the manager now appears to be under real pressure.
The Red Devils are still yet to secure back-to-back Premier League wins under the helm of Amorim, and Wayne Rooney has made it clear he doesn’t back the former Sporting CP manager to turn things around.
The United legend said: “I honestly hope he can turn it round and he does. But…after everything I’ve seen, honestly, I’ve got no faith in it.”
Consequently, INEOS have now started to identify potential replacements for Amorim, compiling a four-man shortlist, according to The Boot Room, who reveal that Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has emerged as a target.
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey adds: “Whilst the club are behind him and want him to succeed in the long-term, this is a result business. He has won just nine league games from 33 – that is not good.
“Off the back of that, United are doing their due diligence on options. Whilst not an active search at this point – Gareth Southgate’s name is on their list, along with the likes of Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola, and they have always appreciated the work of Kieran McKenna.”
Difficult to see way back for Amorim at Man Utd
In all honesty, it is difficult to envisage Amorim putting a strong run together and saving his job, having failed to make an impact ever since his arrival, averaging just 1.35 points per match across 49 games in all competitions.
McKenna, who prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation, is clearly a talented young manager, having been lauded for the “incredible” job he’s done at Ipswich Town by Jermaine Jenas, leading the Tractor Boys from League One to the Premier League in back-to-back seasons.
That said, it would be another gamble from INEOS if they were to take a risk on a young manager, with limited top level experience, and some of the other options on the shortlist would make more sense. McKenna does already know Old Trafford well, though, after a spell as a first team coach under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
2025 FA Cup winner Glasner, in particular, could be a sensible appointment, given that the Austrian utilises a three-at-the-back system at Palace, meaning he may be able to simply tweak Amorim’s current system and get more of a tune out of the squad.