MANCHESTER UNITED will have to pay Ruben Amorim a huge severance fee if they sack him before November 1, it has been revealed.
Club bosses are continuing to back the 40-year-old, despite overseeing United’s worst start to a season since 1992.
Amorim was officially appointed on November 1 last year after taking over from Erik ten Hag and interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy.
The Portuguese signed a two-and-a-half year deal to leave Sporting Lisbon worth £6.5million per season, with the option of a 12-month extension.
And according to the Daily Mail, Amorim would be in line to pocket a whopping £12m if he is axed before his first anniversary of taking the job.
Amorim’s coaching staff would also be in line for a pay-off if United decide to pull the plug.
Since Amorim took charge, United have the lowest points tally of any ever-present Premier League side, with 31 points in as many games.
Indeed, Amorim’s win rate is the LOWEST of any Red Devils manager since World War Two.
But the club may be forced to grin and bear it for the remaining seven weeks of that colossal severance package.
The underperforming Red Devils host Chelsea at Old Trafford next weekend, and the run of fixtures after that does not get much easier.
An away trip to Brentford follows before facing in-form Sunderland at home.
This is followed by a trip to Anfield to face champions Liverpool, before United bogey team Brighton visit Manchester.
November 1 itself sees United taking on Nottingham Forest, with new boss Ange Postecoglou proving himself to be an expert at thwarting United after winning five out of five games against them while managing Tottenham last season.
Although, whether Amorim is still in charge by then remains to be seen, with United bosses’ breaking point set to be tested if the poor results continue.
Some players are already said to have lost faith in Amorim, a claim club chiefs also deny.
The glimmer of hope is the underlying numbers do suggest an improvement this season compared to last.
Compared to their league rivals last term, United were in the bottom half for shots on target, goals, shot conversion rate and expected goals, while they were sixth for shots and eighth for passes into and touches in the opposition box.
However, from the opening four games this season United top the league for shots and touches in the opposition box, while they are top five for shots on target, expected goals, and passes into the opposition box.
But the most concerning facet remains the glaring inability to put the ball in the net, with Amorim’s side 11th in goals and 17th for shot conversion.
The likes of Benjamin Sesko will be key to remedying that, although club icon Rio Ferdinand admitted he was worried about the £74m ace after his “concerning” performance in the Manchester derby.
Sesko, 22, had none of his 20 touches in the opposition box, had just one shot in the entire game and had an average position in the centre circle.
Speaking on his Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the 46-year-old said: “The one I’m worried about is Sesko.
“He ain’t getting no chances man, he ain’t getting no opportunities, there’s nothing created for him.
“That’s the concern. A new striker comes in the football club, gets in the team, you’ve got to think about creating chances for him.
“Getting him on the end of things. He’s got to think about getting on the end of things.
“That’s something I think has got to be looked at, and fixed quick. I don’t want to think about what it could turn out to be.”
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