Ratcliffe holds emergency talks with Amorim amid Man United’s poor start

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffemet head coach Ruben Amorim at the club’s Carrington training ground on Thursday, as the Portuguese manager comes under increasing pressure following United’s poor start to the new season.

The Athletic first reported that Ratcliffe flew into Manchester for the pre-planned talks, which formed part of a wider set of meetings. However, it is understood that the 72-year-old was particularly keen to offer support to Amorim as the club faces mounting pressure.

Man United have collected just four points from their opening four Premier League matches and were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town, intensifying criticism of the new era under Amorim.

Despite spending over £200m on summer signings, United’s only victory so far came courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty against Burnley. Amorim’s position has been the subject of growing speculation, with suggestions he has only a handful of games to save his job. Club sources have dismissed such claims, though defeats to Chelsea, Brentford and Sunderland before the October international break would severely test boardroom patience.

Ratcliffe, who has overseen sweeping changes since his partial takeover, is said to remain supportive of Amorim and has pointed to improved underlying data as justification for that stance. Yet critics argue that the numbers disguise chronic underperformance.

Man United return to Premier League action on Saturday at Old Trafford against Chelsea, in a match that will also see Alejandro Garnacho return to face his former club after his summer move to Stamford Bridge.