By admin 
Ruben Amorim acknowledged it was a “tough moment” for everyone at Manchester United and insisted he would not be afforded the same amount of time to transform the club as Mikel Arteta was at Arsenal.
United go into the weekend 14th in the Premier League having won one of their last four league games – a come-from-behind victory over struggling Ipswich a fortnight ago.
Amorim’s men host Arsenal on Sunday with the pressure still on the Portuguese to prove he has been an upgrade on Erik ten Hag, who was sacked in October.
But the former Sporting CP boss says inspiration can be taken from the Gunners, who have returned to being title challengers under Spanish boss Arteta, although he feels the situation at United would be different.
“I will not have the time Arteta had” ❌
Ruben Amorim says it is unlikely he will be afforded the time that Mikel Arteta has had at Arsenal to get things right at Manchester United 🔴 pic.twitter.com/hEHKkWDWWn
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 7, 2025
Amorim said: “I will not have the time that [Mikel] Arteta had. I feel that it is a different club in that aspect.
“The way Arteta dealt with that [dealing with issues within the club] is an inspiration for everybody. [But] I will not have the time that Arteta had.”
People have the right to protest – Amorim
The ‘1958’ group are planning a protest at Old Trafford on Sunday and have urged supporters to wear black to mark what they believe is the death of the club under the Glazer family and new minority investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
“I think for everyone in our club it is a tough moment,” said Amorim.
“It is everything at the same time, but the only thing I can do and our players can do is perform well and win.
“People have the right to protest, it is a good thing to do that. It is part of our club, and everybody has a voice, but my job is to improve the team and give them something in this moment because they deserve it and they’re amazing.”
Manchester United continue to struggle with injuries
Amorim was speaking shortly after United’s 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad last night in the first leg of their round of 16 Europa League clash.
He has a raft of injury worries to deal with and admits they will again be down to the bare bones at the weekend.
He said: “We need to survive Sunday. The team was so tired in the last 20 minutes [against Real Sociedad]. Everybody can start if they’re training [today].”
Young striker Chido Obi-Martin will return to the squad having been ineligible for the game in San Sebastián, and Amorim hopes there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“I think it is just Amad [who is out till the end of the season],” he said. “Even Amad, we will see the end of the last month [of the season].
“I have the hope to have Amad before, but we will see.
“Kobbie [Mainoo] can return [before the season ends]. [Harry] Maguire, we have to be careful of, Manuel [Ugarte] will return, and I think Mason [Mount] and Luke Shaw can return also.”