‘My job is so, so hard’, Man United boss says amid ‘a lot of problems’

Ruben Amorim has said his concern is Manchester United’s league position rather than his job security after overseeing an eighth defeat of his 14 Premier League games in charge at Tottenham on Sunday.

United are closer to the relegation zone than the top sixth after James Maddison scored the only goal of the game in the 13th minute, leaving the visitors 12 points above the bottom three in 15th.

“[Tottenham] are so open and stretch the team,” Amorim told Sky Sports. “[The criticisms of United] you guys see and discuss every week, I also see.

“I have a lot of problems; my job is so, so hard here. But I stick with my beliefs. In the end, they scored, we didn’t. That was the big difference in the game. We had a lot of chances but in the end they scored one and we didn’t.”

What that result does to the Premier League table 👇📊 pic.twitter.com/hKAlORIw0h

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 16, 2025

Tottenham vs Man United

Amorim was visibly aghast when Alejandro Garnacho lifted United’s best opportunity high over the crossbar shortly after Tottenham’s goal.

The Portuguese said an ankle injury to Amad Diallo, which he expects to end the attacker’s season, had hindered his tactical plan, but added that he was pleased with United’s threat.

“The first step is to create situations,” he reflected. “We have had games where we are around the box and not created situations.

“But in this game, with two teams not doing well, one goal was always going to make the difference. We worked on our principles but, day after day, you lose players who change your approach to the game.

“I could not play the same way with Joshua [Zirkzee] as I can with Amad. Sometimes you want Bruno [Fernandes] to reach the ball in the build up because he’s really good at switching the play. But then you want Bruno also to press and it’s really hard.”

“I have a lot of problems, my job is SO HARD!” 🗣

Ruben Amorim on seeing & understanding criticism as Manchester United boss following their loss to Spurs. pic.twitter.com/3mCcNIKKJb

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 16, 2025

Man United squad: ‘We are near goal’

Victor Lindelof was the only senior player named by Amorim on a bench with an average age of 19. “They will play this season,” Amorim said of his youngsters.

“We will have games in the cup and [Europa League knockout stage] and they will play… we are near the goal, I don’t want to change the players when we are near it.

“You grow and you learn a lot of things. We just need to face it and not run away, that is my feeling. Today will hurt: it is a tough pain to lose so many games. But you can change things in a week.”

Amorim’s side visit in-form Everton – who have moved a point above them since appointing former United boss David Moyes last month – on Saturday (12.30pm GMT).