Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim admits ‘sometimes I want to quit’

Ruben Amorim admitted he sometimes “hates” his Manchester United players and also has occasional thoughts of quitting the job at Old Trafford.

Amorim has struggled mightily since replacing Erik ten Hag in November last year, winning just seven of 29 Premier League games in charge.

And he came under renewed criticism on Wednesday night when United crashed out of the EFL Cup after losing 12-11 on a penalty shoot-out to League Two side Grimsby Town.

After the game, Amorim made several pointed remarks, including that his players “spoke really loud today what they want”, insinuating a lack of effort against a team that bossed the majority of the 90 minutes.

I am not going to change – Amorim

Asked about the comments today, the Portuguese said: “To be really honest with you guys, every time that we have or have in the future one defeat like that, I’m going to be like that. I’m going to say that sometimes I hate my players, sometimes I love my players, sometimes I want to defend my players. 

“This is my way of doing things and I’m going to be like that. And I felt that in that moment I was so frustrated and annoyed. And I know, again, that you have a lot of experienced people talking about the way I should perform with the media, to be more constant, to be more calm. I’m not going to be like that.”

Asked if the pressure was becoming too much and he had considered resigning, he added: “Sometimes I want to quit, sometimes I want to be here for 20 years. Some times I love to be with my players, sometimes I don’t want to be with them. So, again, I need to improve on that. It’s going to be hard. But now I’m good with the next one.”

Amorim felt like walking away after Grimsby embarrassment

Amorim conceded that after the game at Blundell Park in midweek was one of the occasions when he considered his future.

Asked if he wanted to quit after the game at Grimsby, he added: “I felt that after the game. I don’t feel that now. So it’s a little bit like that. I think that is the hardest part of the defeat. 

“Sometimes it’s not the result, it’s the way we lost that game or draw that game. That is the thing that is hard to accept. Because we can do better. In this moment, we cover positions, fight for the ball, running, all these small things, sometimes we drop a little bit the level. The good thing is that we now have the next game to put that level up.”

Amorim wants Mainoo to stay at Manchester United

United welcome Burnley to Old Trafford tomorrow with Monday’s transfer deadline also looming large.

Alejandro Garnacho is expected to leave the club for Chelsea for a fee in the region of £40million while the future of Kobbie Mainoo remains uncertain after the England international reportedly told Amorim he wanted to leave on loan in a bid to play more first-team football.

“Until it’s official, I cannot say much [about Garnacho],” he said. “I want Kobbie to stay. He needs to fight for his place, and we need Kobbie. So that is not going to change. The rest I don’t know how it’s going to finish.

“I understand that the players that are not playing in this moment are disappointed. But everyone will have the same opportunity to play. You have to fight during the week.”

Should Garnacho depart then that would leave just three remaining members of the ‘Bomb Squad’ – Tyrell Malacia, Antony and Jadon Sancho.