Ruben Amorim can enjoy his birthday knowing the Man United fans are behind him, writes CHRIS WHEELER… unlike Sir Jim Ratcliffe who has a new X-rated chant
Ruben Amorim can enjoy his birthday knowing the Man United fans are behind him, writes CHRIS WHEELER… unlike Sir Jim Ratcliffe who has a new X-rated chant
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Ruben Amorim will wake up on his 40th birthday on Monday feeling closer to 50. The 77 days since he stepped off a private jet from Portugal looking sun-kissed and full of optimism have taken their toll on Manchester United’s new head coach. ‘Of course there is a lot of pressure. You can see in my face, you can compare it to the way when I arrive and now,’ he remarked at the start of this month, and that was before United put him through the wringer in games against Liverpool, Arsenal, Southampton, Brighton and Rangers.
![[His United side managed to grind out a late win over Fulham courtesy of a Lisandro Martinez goal]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/26/22/94540585-14327769-image-a-2_1737930724264.jpg)
Encouragingly, only one of those games ended in defeat – albeit the one against Brighton that sent Amorim into an emotional meltdown in which he damaged a TV in the dressing-room. And here on a soggy night at Craven Cottage was another win to lift his spirits and celebrate his birthday with a smile on his face.
![[The Portuguese was given a resounding ovation from the travelling supporters on the eve of his 40th birthday]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/26/22/94540725-14327769-image-a-3_1737930836386.jpg)
It wasn’t pretty. United never are these days, even when they win. Amorim was made to ‘suffer' again, to borrow one of his favourite words. But it was another small step in the right direction. Although the Brighton defeat was Amorim’s sixth in the Premier League – as many as he has suffered in a whole season at his three previous clubs – the boos at the final whistle were never meant for him. The Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe were the target for their anger and again here on Monday.
![[However it remains to be seen whether United can successfully adapt to his 3-4-3 system]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/26/22/94540735-14327769-image-a-4_1737930897992.jpg)
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