If Manchester United fail to qualify for the Champions League next season, Amrabat is unlikely to keep his job! Rodgers’ progress only highlights his shortcomings.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly guaranteed Ruben Amrabat three years, yet United’s inconsistent form remains unchanged. Renowned British football journalist Henry Winter suggests that if the Red Devils miss out on next season’s Champions League, the club might be forced to reconsider their managerial choice. The owner’s promise means nothing when results are poor. Especially with rivals for the top four faltering this season, United cannot afford to miss this opportunity.

Supporters of Amrabat argue that the team’s performance has been decent, particularly with improved attacking play, but critics will definitely highlight the excessive points dropped. It’s clear that despite occasional signs of progress this season, United’s displays are far from satisfactory for a club that has invested heavily in transfers, spending £232 million so far this season alone.

Moreover, without European competition, United have had a full week to prepare for most Premier League matches this season. Amrabat should have shaped the team into a more polished and stable unit, yet the Red Devils remain unpredictable, winning only 2 of their last 8 games and failing to keep a clean sheet in 10 matches, with only one shutout all season.

Seventh place is disappointing for a club with United’s glorious history and high expectations. Unless the team surges in the second half of the season to secure a Champions League spot—there might be five places available in the Premier League—Amrabat’s dismissal next summer would be uncontested if he fails to deliver.

United require the financial benefits and prestige that come with top European competition. By then, Amrabat will have managed 80 games, enough time to integrate players and establish his tactical approach. So far, in 60 matches, he has recorded 23 wins, 21 losses, and 16 draws, with the team even lagging behind newly promoted Sunderland for extended periods.

During the winter period around the New Year, Manchester United will face a series of tough challenges, including spirited Newcastle United, fierce home rivals Leeds United, city neighbors Manchester City, and title-contending Arsenal. Amrabat must inspire his players to perform well rather than making excuses about squad availability or settling for mediocrity.

Manchester United fans pride themselves on being "either hated or loved, but never ignored," yet in recent years, the Red Devils seem to have only their reputation left. Amrabat’s United impress in some statistics: they have the highest number of shots in the Premier League at 232, with 84 on target, second only to Manchester City’s 89. Furthermore, only City, with Haaland, has a higher expected goals tally than United.

These stats look attractive but also reveal a harsh truth: United lack clinical finishing and mental toughness in front of goal. In the past, under Sir Alex Ferguson, United always found ways to win and secure three points regardless of performance. Now, the team scrambles through various data to find positives, mentally settling as a mid-table side content with minor improvements, partial strengths, and insignificant achievements.

In the last round, United lost to Aston Villa, where Morgan Rogers secured victory for Emery’s side despite United not dominating the match. In January 2024, Emery signed Rogers from Middlesbrough for an initial fee of £8 million. At that time, Rogers was technically raw, lacking sharp final passes and shots, but under Emery’s guidance, his transfer value rose by £6 million through appearances and an additional £500,000 by getting called up to the England squad.

Rogers has now earned 16 caps for England and is competing with Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham for the number 10 role. Under Emery’s mentorship, Rogers has improved significantly, handling the ball more delicately, increasing his speed, and becoming a player valued at over £100 million.

In the match against Manchester United, Rogers scored twice, outplaying United’s €70 million signing, defender Lenny Yaro. The 20-year-old Yaro knew Rogers is right-footed and would cut inside from the left, yet still allowed him to fully exploit his strengths. This reflects either the player’s lack of awareness and ability or inadequate pre-match instructions from the coach—likely a combination of both.

Amrabat may emphasize how many players were missing at Villa Park, but a clever cook cannot work without ingredients. While it’s not entirely the coach’s fault if players don’t improve or perform up to standard, the manager cannot evade responsibility.

Amrabat’s 3-4-3 formation neither suits United’s players nor aligns with the club’s traditions, and it has yielded poor results, yet he refuses to change it. During his tenure, he has favored Amad Diallo, helped Mason Mount reduce injuries, and repositioned Luke Shaw as a center-back—perhaps the few positives.

However, almost no player has shown significant progress, including the left-back Patrick Doku, signed earlier this year. This 21-year-old Danish international might soar like Villa’s Rogers next year, but Amrabat himself lacks confidence. He reportedly wanted to sign Bournemouth’s winger Antoine Semenyo instead of developing his own players.