Richard Keys has accused Ruben Amorim of deliberately trying to get himself sacked as Manchester United’s head coach following their 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday.
The loss has compounded an already disastrous season for the Red Devils under Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag in November but has struggled to make an impact
Amorim’s refusal to adapt his 3-4-3 formation, despite ongoing criticism, has only heightened scrutiny. United’s form has been abysmal, with the team suffering 10 defeats in 22 Premier League matches—reaching double-digit losses earlier in a campaign than at any point since the 1989-90 season under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Adding to the misery, the Brighton loss marked United’s sixth home league defeat in just 12 games, their worst start at Old Trafford since 1893-94.
In a post-match interview that shocked fans and pundits alike, Amorim labeled his squad “the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United.
” The controversial statement has drawn backlash, including from Richard Keys, who is “convinced” the Portuguese manager is angling for an exit.
“What was Ruben Amorim thinking when he said that?” Keys wrote on his blog. “Is he mad? Why would you say something like that when it’s your job to make things better? Declaring your team the worst in history doesn’t help anyone—it only makes things worse.”
Keys criticized Amorim’s public approach, suggesting it undermines the players and damages morale. “It’s your responsibility to fix this mess, not publicly humiliate the team you need to rely on,” he added. “If I were his boss, I’d call him in immediately and give him his wish to leave.”
The sports presenter also pointed out the damage such remarks could do to United’s fanbase, already disillusioned by poor performances and rising ticket prices. “By admitting defeat so blatantly, Amorim is essentially telling fans they’re being ripped off,” Keys wrote.
As Manchester United’s season continues to unravel, the crisis at Old Trafford shows no signs of easing. Whether Amorim survives the mounting pressure remains to be seen.