Exclusive: Amorim Must Deliver or Be Shown the Door, Warns United Legend McIlroy

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has to deliver from the word ‘go’ this season, otherwise he could be quickly on his way out of the Old Trafford exit door.

That’s the view of Red Devils’ legend Sammy McIlroy, a player who enjoyed a distinguished 11-year career with the 13-time Premier League champions.

United finished 15th last season, their worst-ever Premier League season.

And even though McIlroy is a big fan of the club’s Portuguese coach, he’s been involved in football long enough to know time is precious – especially as a manager in England’s top-flight.

“You don’t get much time as a manager, especially at a club like Manchester United,” stressed McIlroy, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com. 

“At the end of the day they’ve stuck by him and he’s a very honest and open manager, but he’s got to hit the ground running next season."

“You can’t go into the start of the new season and start with some bad results.”

United kick off the new Premier League season at home to arch-rivals Arsenal on Sunday 17th August, following by tough fixtures against Manchester City and Chelsea the following month.

United also have to face promoted Burnley, Fulham and Brentford in their first six fixtures of the new campaign across August and September.

BAPTISM OF FIRE

And McIlroy, who scored 71 goals in 419 appearances for United, knows Amorim and his charges face a real baptism of fire to improve on last year’s poor season.

“We’ve got some tough games coming up so, unfortunately, we’ve got to be up there and winning a few of them to show the supporters we have turned a corner,” added McIlroy.

“If we can get a couple more decent signings in and through the door, turn the corner and kick on, well that’s what everybody wants."

“If you win a few of these tough fixtures then that might give everyone a bit of a lift and belief that we can achieve good things next season."

“These tough games are coming thick and fast, that’s when you’re really tested as a team."

“But it’s Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world and we’re expected to do much better than we have been doing."

“[Winning big games] is part and parcel of managing Manchester United, you’ve got to be successful.”

United swooped to sign Brazil striker Matheus Cunha this summer from Wolves, with a deal imminent for Brentford’s Cameroon international Bryan Mbeumo, two players with proven Premier League pedigree.

DESPERATE DEFENCE

But former Northern Ireland international McIlroy is desperate for the Reds to improve at the back, an area which he is adamant can bring plenty of success.

 “If you get your attacking options in, well then you need to be solid at the back,” said the 70-year-old.

“[Lisandro] Martinez was a big miss last season, when he first came on the scene he was absolutely magnificent. But unfortunately he’s been hit with really bad injuries and we’ve missed him."

“We’ve got to try and keep him fit because he’s a top defender, a fans’ favourite and we need him to make us solid at the back."

“But we need to be better at the back, I think was clear from some of our performances last season. We leaked goals far too easily.”