Ruben Amorim feels Man Utd pressure greater than at Tottenham

The two underperforming Premier League sides go toe-to-toe in north London on Sunday.

By contributor Simon Peach, PA Chief Football Writer

Published 12 hours ago

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim crouches on the touchline with his head in his hands — Ruben Amorim has spoken of the pressure facing both himself and Sunday’s opposite number Ange Postecoglou (Mike Egerton/PA)

Ruben Amorim claims he is under greater pressure than Tottenham counterpart Ange Postecoglou because Manchester United are a “bigger club”.

Sunday sees the underperforming Premier League sides go toe-to-toe in north London, with the hosts entering the weekend in 14th place and two points behind the misfiring Red Devils in 13th.

It has been a league campaign to forget for both teams and pressure has built on Spurs boss Postecoglou, who has been criticised at times for sticking to his principles.

Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou shows his frustration during the FA Cup defeat to Aston Villa — Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham have had a season to forget (Mike Egerton/PA)

Amorim has faced similar scrutiny since becoming head coach in November but believes United’s size makes the load heavier.

“I’m a huge fan of Ange Postecoglou,” the United boss said.

“Of course I am from a different culture. I’m Portuguese and you know all the Portuguese coaches they can adapt, and I adapt.

“The simple thing is that I use one system in the moment because I believe if you work on that system you can play in different systems at the same time.

“That is my idea but we are not winning games, and I understand the connection between me and Ange. We have the same problems.

“In my opinion, with all due respect, I’m in a bigger club with a bigger pressure, so I understand the connection, and I think it’s really important for the coach to follow his principles.”

Ruben Amorim gives instructions during a Manchester United training session — Ruben Amorim is trying to implement his system at Old Trafford (Martin Rickett/PA)

Asked if he can afford to feel sympathy for the under-fire Postecoglou in the circumstances, Amorim said: “Of course, especially because he’s a good guy.

“He’s a very good coach. He wants to play football in the right way and that is, for me, a good thing.

“We know that, again, when we choose this kind of profession there is a lot of good things, but then you have to feel that pressure when you don’t win.”