Man Utd 'could sack Ruben Amorim this weekend if Red Devils lose to Sunderland'

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Ruben Amorim could reportedly be sacked if he loses to Sunderland.

Amorim , 40, has landed in hot water after a woeful start to the season that has seen him lose three out of his six Premier League matches and get eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Grimsby.

2 Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim could reportedly be sacked if he loses to Sunderland Credit: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

2 SunSport understands Amorim has the backing of Man Utd minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe Credit: Nick Potts/PA Wire

According to The Telegraph , the Portuguese tactician is under immense pressure heading into a "must-win" game against the Black Cats at Old Trafford.

SunSport understands the ex-Sporting Lisbon boss has the backing of the United board and no replacement is lined up.

But they are monitoring potential successors.

However, another defeat before the international break, after which United travel to Anfield to face rivals Liverpool , could severely test the club chiefs' patience.

The under-fire United boss himself admitted on Friday he could be dismissed if results do not improve quickly.

Amorim said: "Nobody here is naive. We understand that we need results to continue the project.

"We will reach a point that is impossible for everyone because this is a very big club with a lot of sponsors, with two owners.

"So it’s hard – the balance is really hard.”

Amorim has yet to win back-to-back games in the Premier League and has managed just 34 points from his 33 Prem games since his arrival in November.

United would have to splash about £12million in compensation to sack the Portuguese head coach within his first 12 months.

But indications suggest that would not be a factor into any decision-making process for minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The Red Devils are desperate to return to Europe after taking a huge hit financially by missing out entirely last season.

By Samuel Luckhurst

MANCHESTER UNITED sources insist Ruben Amorim has their backing and no replacement is lined up.

But they are monitoring potential successors for the 40-year-old, who has won just nine league games in his 11-month tenure.

Asked if he had received any assurances from his bosses, Amorim said: “I am not concerned about that and nobody here is naive.

“We understand we need results to continue the project.

“We will reach a point that is impossible for everyone because this is a very big club with a lot of sponsors, with two owners.

“So it is hard. You can’t run away from the results.”