Ogden’s Verdict: A Repeat of Old Manchester United Habits
ESPN’s Mark Ogden, a close observer of the English game, argues that Manchester United is repeating a familiar error: allowing a manager to run out of steam before taking decisive action. In his view, the club should have moved on from Ruben Amorim long ago, and the ongoing situation at Old Trafford is echoing patterns seen after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure. Ogden’s stance isn’t a snap judgment; it’s rooted in years of watching United’s managerial carousel spin with little clinical turnaround.
The Amorim Tenure: Promises Prominent, Results Underwhelming
Stats that Stain the Window Dressing
Under Amorim, Manchester United have posted a modest win rate in the English top flight. He has registered only nine league victories across 33 appearances, a record that fans and pundits alike find hard to defend as progress. Last season finished in a disappointing 15th place, and the current campaign has them 14th after six games, with seven points on the board. Such numbers starkly contrast with the club’s ambitions and the expectations of a project tied to one of European football’s richest ownership groups.
Why the Manager Still Has Support (For Now)
Ogden concedes there are two practical reasons the club remains cautious. First, the financial hit of another managerial change is non-trivial—estimates hover around 10–12 million pounds for compensation and staff reorganization. Second, Amorim was the cornerstone signing for the Ineos era; moving him now would send a provocative message about the club’s direction. In other words, the decision isn’t only about the results on the pitch, but also about optics and long-term strategy in ownership circles.
Historical Context: Why United’s Board Hesitates to Pull the Trigger
The debate echoes past eras when United stuck with managers longer than pundits believed prudent. Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho, and Ole Gunnar Solskjær all faced intense scrutiny, with Solskjær ultimately dismissed in 2021 after a sequence of disappointing results. Ogden notes that the club’s recent leadership has often shown patience that other top clubs might not extend, a factor that shapes how today’s leadership weighs the risks of a change now versus later.
Who Could Replace Amorim? Names On a Shortlist
The club reportedly maintains a list of potential successors, reflecting a broad search that could stretch beyond traditional options. Gareth Southgate and Oliver Glasner frequently appear in discussions, with Andoni Iraola and Fabian Hürzeler also cited among plausible candidates. There are persistent whispers about Xavi’s interest if the opportunity arises, though skepticism remains about whether the Spanish legend and United’s style would align. Glasner, currently at Crystal Palace, is viewed by Ogden as a leading, relatively affordable option given his Premier League experience and his ability to implement a flexible system with a 3-4-3 shape. Southgate tends to divide opinion—admired for stability, yet sometimes critiqued for his caution. Iraola and Hürzeler offer a fresher, younger profile, but concerns persist about translating European success to Old Trafford’s pressure cooker. Marco Silva at Fulham is another familiar name, valued for Premier League know-how, though Ogden questions whether he’s the right fit for United’s zeitgeist.
What’s Next for Amorim and Manchester United?
With the international break in October looming, Amorim and his squad have a chance to reset on the domestic front. The upcoming fixtures—home against Sunderland before the break, followed by a trip to Anfield and then a match with Brighton at Old Trafford—will be critical in shaping the club’s tempo, confidence, and the ownership’s calculus. Ogden’s assessment remains clear: the clock is ticking, and if results do not improve, the industry chatter that United are out of patience could translate into concrete action sooner rather than later.
Bottom Line
Manchester United’s leadership faces a delicate balancing act between fiscal prudence, reputational considerations, and the pressing demand for tangible progress on the pitch. Mark Ogden’s verdict—that Amorim’s time at United should have ended earlier—captures a broader, simmering debate about how long a football club should tolerate underperformance from a marquee hire. Whether the club chooses to pull the trigger now or later will define United’s trajectory for the rest of this decade.
