Alan Shearer's message for Ruben Amorim as Man Utd boss faces defining week

Alan Shearer believes Ruben Amorim could find himself under huge pressure if Manchester United stumble against Burnley this weekend. United's campaign has begun inauspiciously - something Amorim can ill-afford to let drag on.

They lost 1-0 to Arsenal on the opening day before dropping points again in a 1-1 draw against Fulham on Sunday. Coming off the back of a miserable 2024/25 season, another slip-up could be devastating for the manager, which is why Shearer views Saturday's 3pm clash as a must-win.

"They [United] are one of the teams that have to start winning pretty soon, otherwise the pressure will mount, hugely. There's no doubt about it," the Newcastle icon said on The Rest is Football podcast.

"They've got Burnley next. That's one of those games where you probably want it, but if you don't win it then it really does mount the pressure. So they've got to win that one at home, there's no doubt about it."

Before they face Burnley, United will visit Grimsby Town on Wednesday in the EFL Cup second round. Normally, that would provide an opportunity to shuffle the line-up and give fringe players some game-time, but anything other than a convincing win over the League Two outfit would pile more pressure onto Amorim's shoulders.

The game might also be used to inject confidence into the club's new attacking trio. Over £200million was spent this summer on Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo - none of whom have registered a goal or assist yet.

Cunha came closest, rattling the post against Fulham and forcing David Raya into a fine stop against Arsenal. Mbeumo has looked lively too, nearly scoring with an audacious bicycle kick against the Gunners.

The key, however, may be getting Sesko firing. The £74m striker arrived from RB Leipzig earlier this month, and expectations are high. The club is keen to avoid a repeat of Rasmus Hojlund's struggles; after arriving for a comparable sum in 2023, the Dane quickly lost confidence and his form collapsed.

In Premier League history, United have opened a campaign without victory in their first three matches only three times. On two occasions they still managed to go and win the title.

The last instance was in 2014/15 under Louis van Gaal, when defeats and draws to Swansea, Sunderland, and Burnley left them reeling. Amorim, embarking on his first full season in charge, will be desperate to avoid a similar fate.

Recent results against Burnley offer some hope: United are unbeaten in seven, winning five, and have lost to the Clarets just twice since the late 1960s. Still, history will offer little comfort if they don't walk away with all three points this weekend.

The Burnley clash arrives just before the first international break, and United will be anxious to go into it on a high. Anything short of a victory could sour the atmosphere dramatically – perhaps enough to put Amorim's job in real danger.

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