Manchester United have faced various issues since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as manager but the biggest one still is stepping out of the great man’s shadow.
Five managers have fallen victim to the phenomenon and Ruben Amorim is aiming to break that trend even though he’s not off to the best of starts.
Every Man Utd manager following Sir Alex Ferguson has been faced with two choices – branch out and try to become his own man by cutting communications with him, or embrace the history and lean on him for support.
Amorim has chosen to involve Sir Alex and he recently revealed the dilemma he faces every time he speaks to the legendary figure.
Ruben Amorim on talks with Sir Alex Ferguson
When Ruben Amorim walked through the doors at Old Trafford, he did so in full knowledge of the size of the job that awaited him.
Still, the start he’s had has probably blindsided him, as evidenced by his heated reactions in the dressing room after the loss to Brighton.
In such a moment, he can use any support and words of encouragement he can get, even more so if they come from a figure like Sir Alex Ferguson.
Amorim revealed to Radio 5 Live, via Man Utd’s official website, that he speaks with Sir Alex ‘several times’, although it leaves him with a reminder of the task at hand.
Amorim said: “I speak with Sir Alex several times. I try to call him to keep being positive. It’s really good because I feel the history of the club but it’s really hard, as they did such a good job, to be the guy leading the team at this moment.
“It’s really hard but we have to believe.”
Amorim’s thankless balancing act at Man Utd
The Man Utd manager has had a thankless balancing act so far at Old Trafford, making people aware that he’s aiming for the top while telling them the current situation is far from it.
His thoughts on his talks with Sir Alex echo that same sentiment, realising the large shadow he casts on the club but maintaining his stance that it will work out in the long run.
Amorim has perhaps been too honest for his own good at times, but Man Utd fans would undoubtedly prefer someone acknowledging the problems instead of going into self-preservation mode.
Acknowledging the existence of a problem is the first step toward solving it but the same can’t be done in a destructive way, which someone like Jose Mourinho did.
Amorim has maintained that balancing act so far but the players need to step up soon to prevent it from snowballing.
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