
Roy Keane has expressed doubts that Ruben Amorim will be granted three years at Manchester United. Club co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe voiced his backing for the 39-year-old manager in a recent interview during the international break. Ratcliffe pointed to Arsenal's Mikel Arteta as a prime example and believes Amorim deserves sufficient time to demonstrate his capabilities at Old Trafford.
"Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years," Ratcliffe told The Business podcast. When questioned whether Amorim would receive three years, Ratcliffe responded: "Yes. That is where I would be. Three years. Because football is not overnight."
"It's three years. You also look at [Mikel] Arteta at Arsenal. He had a miserable time over those first couple of years. We have to be patient. We have a long-term plan. It isn't a light switch. You can't run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week."
Amorim subsequently addressed Ratcliffe's remarks during his pre-match press conference on Friday, confirming he feels completely supported by United's hierarchy.
However, United legend Keane has now offered his perspective on the matter - confessing he remains unconvinced Amorim will receive adequate time to orchestrate a turnaround should results and displays fail to improve.
"I'm not so sure about that," Keane said on Sky Sports. "It's all well and good getting the backing off the board, but results have to improve. You hope, of course, any manager is given time.
"Whether he will get three years to play with depends how they do over the next few months. They have picked up a little bit - with the new attacking players they look more of a goal threat.
"But the big test is games like today. Are they going to show their quality or are they going to grind a result out? There are still question marks away from home. Yeah, they have picked up, but coming to Liverpool is a huge test and there are still huge questions marks over this group."
United travel to Liverpool on Sunday afternoon hoping to secure back-to-back victories for the first time this campaign following their 2-0 triumph over Sunderland before the international break.
The Red Devils currently occupy 11th position in the Premier League standings with 10 points from their opening seven fixtures, but could climb into the top half with victory against Arne Slot's side at Anfield.
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