SIR JIM RATCLIFFE showed signs he is “not being truthful” about backing Ruben Amorim for another three years at Manchester United, according to a body language expert.
Amorim has come under intense scrutiny this season after a difficult start to the season saw the Red Devils lose three of their first six Premier League games.
United were also dumped out of the Carabao Cup third round in embarrassing fashion as they went out on penalties to League Two side Grimsby.
Amorim eased the pressure on his position by beating Sunderland 2-0 before the international break.
But the heat is still on the Portuguese boss to turn his side’s fortunes around, with a trip to Liverpool coming up next week.
In a bid to calm media speculation, United chief Ratcliffe came out this week and claimed he wanted to give the manager another three years to achieve success at Old Trafford.
Speaking to the Times’ The Business podcast, he said: “He has not had the best of seasons. Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be.
“The press, sometimes I don’t understand.
“They want overnight success. They think it’s a light switch. You know, you flick a switch and it’s all going to be roses tomorrow.
“You can’t run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week.”
But body language expert Inbaal Honigman claimed there were signs during his interview on the podcast that he wasn’t being totally honest.
Honigman said there was “a lot of tension” in his body language, including rapid blinking and crossing his arms.
She told OLBG: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe communicates a lot of tension during the interview with his body language, and there are many signs that he’d not being truthful in parts.
“Some of his nonverbal communication is honest and decisive, especially when his arms are uncrossed and he uses his hands in ‘chopping’ motions, which indicate that he has a plan. But in many parts, he expresses tension and even secrecy.
“Crossed arms form a protective gesture, as if hiding himself from the toughest questions.
“Even more so, when Sir Jim’s hand covers his own bicep in a warm self-hug, soothing himself. One of the telltale signs of dishonesty is rapid blinking, and we can see some fast eye flutters during the interview.
“Ratcliffe does a very interesting move, in which he places his hands on the chair’s armrests and raises his body. This may suggest that he needs to feel more supported.”
Last week Amorim insisted he had no plans to resign as United boss ahead of his side’s win over Sunderland, with a section of fans calling for him to be axed in the wake of a 3-1 loss to Brentford.
When asked if he could walk away from the job, he replied: “That is a decision of the board. I cannot do that.
“Sometimes I have that feeling and losing is hard. It’s so frustrating when you create the momentum, go to the next game, and something happens.
“That feeling sometimes hurts me a lot. Also the players and especially the staff here.
“But that is not my decision. And I think it would be really hard to leave if I don’t do everything to follow my career here.”
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