United's Backup Plan: Carrick and Southgate Lined Up as Amorim Pressure Mounts

Ruben Amorim's position at Manchester United continues to deteriorate, with the club already preparing contingency plans should they decide to part company with their manager.

The Portuguese boss has faced relentless scrutiny since his arrival, and he did little to ease tensions with a combative statement following Sunday's 1-1 stalemate against Leeds United. Amorim insisted he would be "the manager of this team, not just the coach," before cryptically declaring his tenure would conclude "in 18 months" and adding pointed criticism of the club's culture.

"If people cannot handle the Gary Nevilles and the criticisms of everything, we need to change the club," he said.

The relationship between Amorim and the Old Trafford hierarchy appears increasingly fractured, particularly regarding his stubborn adherence to a 3-4-3 system that has yielded underwhelming returns. Reports suggest board members have privately questioned the tactical approach, with the two parties potentially at an impasse.

According to journalist Graeme Bailey, United have identified two candidates to potentially take the reins. Michael Carrick, the former Middlesbrough manager who previously worked in the club's coaching structure, represents the short-term option and remains highly regarded within the organisation. There is also Sir Gareth Southgate, the former England manager currently available and someone whom owner Jim Ratcliffe and technical director Jason Wilcox both hold in considerable esteem.

Alan Shearer has added his voice to the growing chorus of doubt surrounding Amorim's future. Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, the Match of the Day pundit was damning in his assessment.

"Look at his results and record since he's been at Manchester United, it's been nowhere near good enough," Shearer said. "I think he is fighting a losing battle and there's only going to be one winner. It wouldn't surprise me if he's not there much longer at all because he just hasn't got enough in the bank to be coming out and taking the board on like that."

The former Newcastle striker acknowledged that Enzo Maresca's appointment at Chelsea made sense given his achievements, but suggested Amorim lacks the capital—both in terms of results and credibility—to wage war with the board and expect to emerge victorious.