Manchester United’s board is standing firmly behind embattled manager Ruben Amorim, despite growing pressure following their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday.

The Red Devils produced moments of promise in attack but once again lacked the finishing touch to punish their rivals. The result leaves United languishing in 14th place after four matches, a position far from the expectations of their fans and hierarchy.

Amorim’s record at Old Trafford makes for grim reading: just 31 points from 31 Premier League games in his 10 months in charge, with 16 defeats along the way.

Former club captain Gary Neville has already raised concerns, warning that the Portuguese tactician will be “in trouble” if the team remains rooted in the bottom half of the table by October. Yet, according to reports from the Manchester Evening News, the board is prepared to keep faith with the 40-year-old—for now.

United’s next league clash comes at Old Trafford against fifth-placed Chelsea, a fixture that could either steady the ship or intensify the storm clouds gathering over Amorim.

Opinion: Patience or Pressure – United’s Defining Moment

Manchester United’s stance on Amorim raises the familiar question: how much patience is too much?

On one hand, sacking managers at the first sign of trouble has been a hallmark of United’s instability in the post-Ferguson era. Sticking with Amorim could finally signal a commitment to a long-term vision, even if it means enduring short-term pain. His footballing philosophy, rooted in pressing and fluid attacking transitions, has yet to fully click with this squad—but that doesn’t mean it never will.

On the other hand, football is a results-driven business. With just one point per game on average under his tenure, Amorim is walking a tightrope. A club of Manchester United’s stature cannot afford to normalize mediocrity, and fans are justified in demanding more than “promise without payoff.”

The upcoming fixture against Chelsea feels less like an ordinary September game and more like a litmus test. Win, and Amorim buys himself time. Lose, and even the most loyal boardroom members might begin to question whether faith without progress is simply stubbornness in disguise.

At some point, patience must be matched with progress—or United risk drifting further away from the elite company they so desperately want to keep.