PL Manager of the Month Was Just One Game From Being Sacked!

PL Manager of the Month Was Just One Game From Being Sacked!

Recent weeks have shown Manchester United to be somewhat on the comeback trail, with Ruben Amorim finally making what appears to be some headway with his three-at-the-back system that has come under such scrutiny during his first year in charge.

Three wins and a draw in their last four is certainly not the most impressive streak, but when considering what United fans have been through over the last few years, it is a much-needed undefeated streak that has seriously bolstered the atmosphere at Old Trafford.

Scoring much-needed wins over Sunderland, Brighton, and reigning champions of England Liverpool, United vaulted themselves in surprise contention near the top of the table, and had they beaten Nottingham Forest at the weekend, they would have temporarily climbed to second.

Amorim finally has some long-awaited breathing space, some room to manoeuvre, and the chance to think about other issues aside from his job security, which has been tenuous to say the least since he took over last October.

👉Counterpressure Efficiency for the teams in English Premier League 2025-2026. UPDATED after Gameweek 10.

🚨RUBEN AMORIM has a clear Philosophy in terms of what kind of "Game-Play" he wants.

🚨Manchester United has the HIGHEST no. of Counterpressures and Counterpressures… pic.twitter.com/tfo1rRc2Xa

— EPL - Analytics (@DataAnalyticEPL) November 7, 2025

So tenuous, in fact, that Premier League legend Gustavo Poyet came out and stated that the Portuguese coach was a game away from being sacked, which, when looking back at United’s dire form for much of Amorim’s spell in charge, does not come as a great surprise.

Speaking to BetWright, Poyet said, “I am pleased for Ruben Amorim - it was the right time for Manchester United to get a big result against Liverpool. It was now or never for him to find something; otherwise, he was likely gone - fortunately for him, it went his way.”

It is hard to argue with Poyet - before the outstanding 2-1 win at Anfield, United had won just two league games, and had suffered a humiliating exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of League Two side Grimsby.

Manchester United FINALLY win back-to-back games under Ruben Amorim.

And they did it in style by taking down Liverpool at Anfield 🥳 pic.twitter.com/w7Gq0XUqpt

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 19, 2025

So when Harry Maguire’s header five minutes from time rippled the back of the Liverpool net, fans across the country felt that finally, Amorim had given himself something to work with. In truth, it was the first notable result of his tenure, and it is one that has provided the club with momentum, something they have been missing for years.

“Last year was a nightmare for him,” Poyet continued: “so I’m relieved for him that it looks like they are at the start of something promising.”

“When you are in that position as a coach, you need everything to go your way. For example, the opponent’s shot needs to hit the crossbar, and you need to be awarded a penalty that could have been a 50/50 foul. Those are the kind of split-second decisions you need if your back is against the wall as a manager.”

Poyet, who is currently managing Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC in the Korean K League, is speaking from experience. The former Chelsea player has managed various teams across the world, and is best remembered in managerial terms for his two-year stint at Sunderland.

During his two-season spell at the Black Cats, the Uruguayan guided them to safety both times. Furthermore, Poyet has trophy-winning experience - he led Brighton to the League One title in 2011, and Chilean side Universidad Católica to Super Cup success in 2020, so he is more than familiar with what success and pressure look like in football management.

His final words on the Liverpool result were, “I’m not sure if it is luck, but on the day, momentum shifted in Amorim’s favour, and now things are looking up for him and Man United.”

Poyet is on the money - in all, United have won four of their last six, losing just one, and Amorim finally has his side playing with an identity, with a belief that his system can work, and most importantly, with a belief in themselves again.

Man Utd's monthly award winners in October 🤩

🏃‍♂️ @EASPORTSFC Player = Bryan Mbeumo
👔 @BarclaysFooty Manager = Ruben Amorim pic.twitter.com/6CXzdyrQpK

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 7, 2025

Voted as the October manager of the month, it is remarkable how quickly things can change in football. Amorim has shown his hand, and now with a side increasing in confidence, no one will be underestimating them anymore.