This might seem like one of the most stupid things I have ever said, but this is a massive game for Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.
In the fall-out after their Europa League final defeat, there have been further question marks over his inability to change his system, and also how there is seemingly a lack of thought going into his substitutions after how late he left them against Spurs – his first changes came after 71 minutes.
Amorim said after Wednesday’s defeat in Bilbao that if the club’s owners want to get rid of him, he would go without getting any compensation. When he comes out with stuff like that, it almost sounds to me as if he wants the sack.
We had a lot of United fans on 606 after the game and I can understand both sides of the argument when it comes to Amorim’s future.
On one hand, he hasn’t adapted his tactics to English football and you could say the United team has got worse under him, which is a hard thing to do after Erik ten Hag’s stint in charge.
But then you also have to consider how Amorim was kind of railroaded into taking the job in November, after being told he had to come in straightaway or he might not get the job at the end of the season. He said then that he needed to play his system, and he hasn’t been able to bring his own players in to do that.
His problem now, though, is even if he does get the backing of the United hierarchy and gets given the chance to bring his own players in this summer, who is going to want to come to Old Trafford?
There is no European football as an incentive, and that is a massive problem.
So, Amorim badly needs some kind of positive result to end the season with, and he would probably bite your hand off now if you offered him a draw against Aston Villa, who really need a win to have a chance of making the top five.
With what’s at stake for Villa, though, I am expecting them to take the points. Unai Emery’s side will be too good for United, and Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers could really do some damage to their defence.
I feel sorry for Amorim, because he seems like a really nice guy who is very likeable, but that won’t help him keep his job.
We asked one United fan who called up 606 on Wednesday night whether he would want to keep Amorim on and he said he would love to have Sunday lunch with him, but that’s not the same as wanting him to stay on as manager, is it?
Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
Paul’s prediction: I have DJed at Old Trafford and at Etihad Stadium for Soccer Aid. I sat in the directors’ box at both grounds and at City they have got heated seats – you can press a button and warm them up. Man United have not got that! We could do with Villa dropping points here, but I can’t see United helping us out. 1-2
