Manchester United continue to make cuts under Ineos but they have now placed real pressure on Ruben Amorim.
We have now hit a year of Ineos running the show at Manchester United and the results so far have been unconvincing to say the least.
United continue to struggle on the pitch and sit 15th in the Premier League table, a frankly embarrassing situation at this stage in the season.
United’s appointment of Ruben Amorim hasn’t sparked greater fortunes but the Portuguese coach deserves time at Old Trafford.
Off the pitch, United’s financial position remains of huge concern heading towards the summer transfer window.
United announced new redundancies on Monday with Sir Jim Ratcliffe keen to continue trimming the staff numbers.
Manchester United’s stance on European qualification
United can trim the staff all they like but the big financial differences lie elsewhere.
United must raise funds somehow and whilst player sales are likely to be a key factor, success on the pitch certainly helps.
European competitions and deep cup runs can offer great financial rewards and United are looking to lean on that moving forward.
The Athletic report that United’s financial calculations have factored in at least achieving Europa League qualification for the next four years.
That is quite the gamble right now and many will be left concerned about the coming years if United miss out even once.
Asking a United side to qualify for the Europa League should not be all that lofty but it certainly feels difficult right now.
Not only are United struggling for wins but other clubs – such as Brighton and Hove Albion, Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest – are all now in European contention and have been much better than United this season.
The competition has increased and United currently look a long way – 14 points to be exact – off a fifth-place finish and a passage to the Europa League.
Ratcliffe and Ineos clearly have confidence in Amorim to get United moving forward quickly, but fans may take some convincing on that front.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 13 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 26 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 31 | 32 | -1 | 33 |
| 14 |  EvertonEverton | 26 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 29 | 33 | -4 | 31 |
| 15 |  Man UtdManchester United | 26 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 30 | 37 | -7 | 30 |
| 16 |  West HamWest Ham | 26 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 30 | 47 | -17 | 30 |
| 17 |  WolvesWolves | 26 | 6 | 4 | 16 | 36 | 54 | -18 | 22 |
Pressure on Ruben Amorim to hit Ineos target
The pressure now shifts to Amorim with Ineos clearly expecting European football next season and beyond.
We can effectively rule out a route to Europa League through the Premier League with United way off the pace.
That leaves two options – win the FA Cup or end up in the Champions League through the Europa League.
United won the FA Cup final last season and would need a repeat in order to sneak back into the Europa League next season.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are already out, so there may be a chance for United to repeat last season’s success.
United face Fulham in the last 16 of the FA Cup and there is now greater importance placed on that tie this weekend.
As for the Europa League, United are one of the favourites after finishing third in the league phase.
United have been drawn against Real Sociedad though with the La Liga side representing a major threat in the last 16.
FCSB or Lyon would follow in the next round if United can get through, with Fenerbahce, Rangers, Roma or Athletic Club in the semi-finals.
A Europa League final win would see United head into the Champions League next season, providing a welcome boost to the finances and the Ineos plans.
It’s a big ask for Amorim to drag United into Europe through one of two knockout tournaments but that is the situation facing the United boss with Ineos effectively ramping up the pressure on him.
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