Gary Neville's Warning

Gary Neville hasn't held back in his assessment of Ruben Amorim's tenure at Manchester United, issuing a stark warning about the possibility of the Portuguese manager facing the sack. Following the Red Devils' drastic drop in form, Neville and fellow pundit Jamie Carragher are calling for fans to mark their calendars, suggesting that serious questions will arise about Amorim's future very soon.

Amorim's Challenging Start

Amorim, 39, was brought in as a replacement for Erik ten Hag, becoming the first official manager of the INEOS era at Old Trafford and the sixth full-time coach since the exit of the iconic Sir Alex Ferguson over 11 years ago. However, if the Manchester United faithful were anticipating an instant turnaround, they have been sadly mistaken. The team's recent defeat to Newcastle marked their fifth loss in six Premier League matches, leaving them precariously seven points above the relegation zone.

Upcoming Fixtures and Pressure

With a challenging fixture against leaders Liverpool on the horizon, Manchester United’s situation could quickly spiral into a crisis. The defeat to the Magpies was particularly frustrating for fans, considering that many—including Neville and Carragher—feared it would unfold in the manner it did after seeing the team lineup. Goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton early in the match confirmed their worst suspicions, with Amorim’s squad struggling to find their footing throughout the game.

Doubts About Amorim's Future

Neville expressed doubts about how much longer the losing streak could be tolerated before managerial questions tighten their grip on Amorim’s future. Discussing the possibility of a change in leadership, Neville stated during a Sky Sports segment, 'I mean, whatever happened? Probably not.' He did express hope that the board will support Amorim, potentially allowing him a chance to make necessary adjustments during the January transfer window.

Financial Constraints

However, financial constraints loom large, as United is teetering on the edge of Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations, making it unclear how much they could invest in new players. The summer saw former manager Erik ten Hag spend a hefty £180 million, limiting what can be done now.

Fans' Concerns

The recent performance of the team has left fans wondering just how long patience will last. With six losses in his first eleven matches, Amorim is now officially facing the worst start by any Manchester United manager in over nine decades. Ben Foster, a former United goalkeeper, echoed concerns about Amorim's future, designating the key match against Southampton on January 16 as a pivotal moment for the beleaguered coach.

Potential Changes in January

Foster provocatively asked his audience, 'Can you imagine if Manchester United sacked another manager mid-season?' pointing out the dire upcoming fixtures. Next up is the challenge of facing Newcastle at home, followed by an away game against Liverpool and an FA Cup encounter with Arsenal—three matches where they could easily come away with no points.

Looking Ahead

Looking ahead, the club faces a significant January transfer window. While the funds are limited, it seems inevitable that player sales will be necessary to bolster the squad. Stars like Antony and Joshua Zirkzee could be available for transfer should attractive offers surface. Recently, speculation has pointed towards Marcus Rashford potentially leaving as well, given his recent comments expressing dissatisfaction with his current situation. A move to Saudi Pro League clubs has been floated, although a switch to Paris Saint-Germain appears unlikely.

Conclusion

As January approaches, United fans are forced to brace themselves for what could become a month of turbulent changes at Old Trafford. Whether Amorim will be able to steady the ship or if the club will seek a new manager remains to be seen. Only time will tell if the Red Devils can turn their fortunes around or if they are staring down the barrel of yet another managerial fiasco.