Ineos are impossible to predict after Man United sacking - but Ruben Amorim decision should be clear

"I am not worried. I understand our fans, what the media think about it. I hate to lose, that feeling is the worst," said Ruben Amorim after Manchester United's defeat to Tottenham on Sunday.

Amorim might not be "worried" about his job, but the decision-makers at Old Trafford are impossible to predict and they were quick to part ways with Dan Ashworth in December.

United were seven points adrift of the Champions League places when Erik ten Hag was sacked and they are now 15 points behind fourth-placed Manchester City. United are closer to Ipswich Town, who are in the relegation zone, and Everton are now a point above the Reds.

It was previously unthinkable that United could be as low as 15th in February, but this season has been bleak and United have performed like the 15th-best team in the league.

Last month, Amorim joked his 40th birthday felt like his 50th due to the stress of his job. Of course, Amorim can't be blamed for all of United's issues, but employing a manager with such a drastically different style of play to the previous manager midway through the season was always going to be a risk.

Not long after Amorim's arrival, he warned that a "storm" was on the horizon and the dark clouds have arrived. Amorim has not improved United - they have gone backwards - and niggling doubts about his system have been voiced by some supporters.

But what did Ineos expect? With the benefit of hindsight, it was an impossible task for Amorim to inherit a struggling team, change the system mid-season and oversee huge improvement.

Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox knew who they were employing. They understood Amorim would immediately change the system and believed he was the man to lead United up the table.

It is not time to abandon