Ruben Amorim’s job just became harder as Man Utd boss denied same luxury as Erik ten Hag

As the days dwindled near the death of Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United era, his press conferences became more like those predictable Christmas sit-downs you have with that one grandparent who can’t help but repeat a story they’re fond of over and over again.

“Right, yes, you won two trophies in two years, didn’t you? Very good.”

All you can ultimately do is accept the information you’re receiving and smile, knowing that individual is totally content with their credence.

Yet, internally, your only thought is, “Those days are gone, Grandad,” or – in this case – “Was last season really a success, though, Erik?”

Ten Hag was right. He did lift two major trophies in as many years, the first of which ended a six-year trophy drought at Old Trafford.

“The Erik ten Hag era has begun” – a post on X by Manchester United read after the 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final on February 26, 2023.

In May, one of the greatest days in the club’s storied history followed. Before the backdrop of heartbreak in the first-ever Manchester derby FA Cup final a year earlier, Wembley staged a rematch of the ages.

The result? A 13th FA Cup crown through goals from academy graduates Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

It was a result that saved Ten Hag’s job – or at least delayed the inevitable – after an abysmal campaign.

United sat in a record-low eighth in the Premier League and managed just one win from their six Champions League group-stage games. Rock bottom of Group A. Embarrassing.

Ten Hag actively used his two trophy triumphs to mask his side’s failings in 95 per cent of the 2023/24 season.

However, while you have to beat what’s in front of you, rival supporters were justified in their frustrations over the Dutchman’s fortune in draws.

To lift the 2023 Carabao Cup, United had to beat Aston Villa, Burnley, Charlton Athletic, Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.

To reach the FA Cup final a few months later? Everton, Reading, West Ham United, Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion.

It’s worth adding that both competitions were part of an unprecedented run of 12 consecutive home draws, which undoubtedly played its part.

United had to beat their two fiercest rivals, Liverpool and Man City, on a historic path to FA Cup glory last term.

However, United’s favourable opposition in Ten Hag’s maiden season helped him not just win early major silverware but also build credit that awarded him more time than others perhaps wouldn’t have received.

Amorim won’t have the same luxury. The Red Devils thrashed Barnsley and Leicester City at Old Trafford to reach the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

The Portuguese tactician’s first cup tie is that quarter-final – away at Tottenham. Not quite the same winnable clash laid before Ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Then, the collective groans and boos in Old Trafford’s Munich Tunnel during last night’s FA Cup Third Round draw said it all.

Dion Dublin had 61 teams to choose from after drawing Arsenal as the third team out of the hat. “Number 23, Manchester United.” Oh dear.

United will fancy themselves at the Emirates Stadium, where they play football in the Premier League tomorrow evening.

The travelling fans will, too. The prospect of a 9,000-capacity away end is enough to stir any of the club’s loyal global acolytes.

After all, the last cup clash between the competition’s two most successful clubs – with 27 titles between them – ended in a 3-1 victory for the visitors in north London.

But Petr Cech was Arsenal’s goalkeeper, and Alexis Sanchez scored United’s opener before Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial got in on the act.

That goes to show just how long ago 2019 and the reign of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was.

United must start winning away matches, period. They have to at least show they can compete in visits to their main rivals. Ten Hag’s record in such fixtures was atrocious.

The task of beating Arsenal – something United have done just twice in all competitions in the five years that have followed that FA Cup win – is far more daunting.

But unlike with Ten Hag, if Amorim is to start his Red Devils reign with silverware, his critics and sceptics won’t have any excuse to question how he got there.

United face 10 matches across four competitions in the next 40 days – an overtaxing task for even the best teams.

Seven of those are away from home, including trips to Arsenal (twice), Manchester City, Spurs and a New Year treat in the form of Liverpool at Anfield.

Talk about a baptism of fire for a coach who is desperate to have as much time on the training pitch as possible with his newly inherited squad.

That particular desire would be an attractive consolation prize if United were to bow out in the next round of either cup competition or both.

Mr Amorim doesn’t strike you as the type who takes the small victories from his side’s defeats, though. He has the opportunity to make an unignorable tremor in the next month.