Ogden’s verdict: Amorim under pressure at Manchester United
ESPN’s Mark Ogden, a long-time observer of the Premier League for the American-owned club, has a stark message for Manchester United: Ruben Amorim should have been replaced long ago. Ogden points to the Portuguese manager’s current record (nine wins in 33 league games) as proof that the experiment isn’t producing the improvement the club desperately needs. In his view, United’s leadership has a troubling habit of giving managers too much rope, a pattern he says has repeated itself since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
A familiar pattern since Ferguson: chasing stability while risking stagnation
Ogden has watched several United eras unfold with a similar tilt—illuminated by big-name appointments and protracted tenures that failed to deliver lasting success. He mentions Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, and Erik ten Hag as examples where patience from the top did not always translate into sustained improvement. The most recent chapter, under Amorim, appears to be following that same script, even as the club navigates a transition under Ineos’ ownership.
Solskjær, Ten Hag and the burden of timing
Historically, United’s decision-making timelines have come under intense scrutiny. Solskjær’s dismissal in November 2021 is a reference point—some argued the club waited too long, while others believed a sharper break would have spared the team from further missteps. Ogden has repeatedly underscored that, in his view, clubs of Manchester United’s stature shouldn’t let a manager linger at the cost of results, and that delayed action often complicates the rebuild.
Why the delay might persist: costs and optics
Two factors sit at the heart of the hesitation to pull the trigger on Amorim. First, the immediate financial hit of parting ways with a manager and his staff is significant. Ogden cites a ballpark figure of around £10–12 million—an amount that United, with their current setup, might be reluctant to spend unless the academy of results becomes clear and tangible. Second, Amorim was among the first major hires of the Ineos era. Dismissing him after only a little more than ten months would send a costly signal, potentially casting the new ownership in a negative light, even if the statistics say otherwise.
Despite internal support for Amorim from some corners of the club, Ogden maintains that the numbers tell a clear story: the results haven’t improved, and the risk in not acting is a protracted stagnation that could damage the project’s credibility abroad.
The case for a change: potential successors on the list
With Amorim under scrutiny, United’s hierarchy is reportedly weighing a list of candidates who could lead the next phase. Names floated include Gareth Southgate, Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola, and Fabian Hürzeler. Additionally, there have been whispers about Xavi’s openness to a move should the opportunity arise. Ogden singles out Glasner as a particularly compelling fit given his experience and the relative affordability of a move from Crystal Palace. Glasner’s 3-4-3 system in England is cited as a strength that could translate well at United without a drastic upheaval of squad culture.
Southgate remains a recurring name in discussions around this job, though the fit with United’s immediate needs and playing style is often debated. Xavi’s interest has been lightly floated as a possibility, while Marco Silva at Fulham is another name occasionally mentioned, though Ogden warns he isn’t convinced Silva is the ideal long-term match for United’s ambitions. The overarching theme is that the club appears to be compiling options rather than rushing into a hire—an approach that underscores the gravity of the decision ahead.
Ahead of the next test: what lies in wait for Amorim
Before the international break, Amorim and his players are scheduled to host Sunderland in the Premier League. The post-break slate includes a perilous trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, followed by a challenging fixture at Old Trafford against Brighton. How United perform in these games will shape the club’s internal calculus: a few positive results could buy Amorim more time, while a few heavy defeats might accelerate the search for a definitive change in direction.
Conclusion: United at a crossroads
Mark Ogden’s assertive position reflects a broader debate about Manchester United’s identity and the expectations that accompany ownership changes. If results don’t improve soon, the question won’t be whether Amorim has failed, but whether the club can afford to let the current project drift when a decisive reset could be on the horizon.
