Jamie Carragher believes Manchester United’s key decision makers must start contemplating whether or not they made a dreadful mistake in appointing Ruben Amorim.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe granted Erik ten Hag a stay of execution last summer following a surprise FA Cup triumph but gave the Dutchman is marching orders just 11 games into the new campaign.

Amorim arrived in November, full of vim and vigour but has been found wanting in almost every aspect of the job.

Unwanted records are being set at an alarming rate and United could yet end up the season in 17th place if, as expected, they suffer defeat on Sunday against Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Wednesday night’s get out of jail free card was spurned in miserable fashion in Bilbao as Tottenham seized their opportunity to end their equality chaotic season on the highest of highs.

While the north London club can look ahead to a summer of accelerating their rebuilding project, with or without Ange Postecoglou, Ratcliffe and his expensively assembled backroom team are left to survey the wreckage.

Will Man Utd sack Ruben Amorim?

Amorim’s future, according to Carragher, must be high on the agenda above and beyond determining the futures of wantaway players, underperforming stars and academy graduates who could be sold to generate much needed funds.

‘At some point during their post-season review of a dire campaign, someone in the Manchester United boardroom will need the courage to ask the toughest question: “Did we appoint the wrong manager at the wrong time?”’ the former Liverpool defender told the Daily Telegraph.

‘Sir Jim Ratcliffe may still believe Ruben Amorim is one of the best young coaches of his generation. He may think that, had Amorim not joined United last November, he would have been hired by another top European club and excelled.

‘He may also be sure that if United had the same funds to rebuild the team as Amorim’s predecessors had at their disposal, it would be a question of when, not if, United return to the top of the English and European game.

‘But in the aftermath of a dismal Europa League final defeat by Tottenham Hotspur, the dilemma around Amorim is more complicated than for any of those who have tried and failed at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.’

It would be hard to argue that any of Ratcliffe’s key decisions have reaped dividends since assuming control of United’s footballing operations.

Hiring one of Europe’s most highly-rated young coaches was, arguably, the bravest of all the difficult calls he has had to make but persisting with Amorim, in the wake of a shambolic performance in a game of such importance, would be even more significant.

‘The much-anticipated tactical innovations, and development of younger players, have been non-existent,’ Carragher said, assessing Amorim’s performance in the role so far.

‘The only successful game-changing strategy Amorim has offered is throwing Harry Maguire up front for the final few minutes of European games.’

On whether Amorim will get the chance to continue, added ‘At most clubs, this would put his job in jeopardy.

‘At United, the board appears to be more sympathetic than ruthless, but that will not last if there is no sign of improvement after a full pre-season.

‘So far, every big call of the Ratcliffe era has backfired. Ten Hag kept his job after a shock FA Cup final win. Amorim is likely to be backed after a shocking cup final performance.

‘Once more, it feels like United are keeping the faith more in hope than expectation.’

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher praised ‘brave’ Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty)

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It was re…

A crucial match in the battle for second place.

The legendary ex-Arsenal goalkeeper has had his say.

Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea will ‘miss out’ on Champions League qualification after their damaging defeat to Newcastle United.

Sitting fifth before last weekend’s fixtures, Chelsea were hoping to get a result at St James’ Park on Sunday to boost their chances of finishing in the top-five.

But Enzo Maresca’s side, who were reduced to ten men in the first half after Nicolas Jackson was sent off, lost 2-0 to Newcastle.

The top-five in the Premier League this season will all qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Premier League champions Liverpool have already booked their Champions League spot while Arsenal are on track to follow suit, currently second on 68 points.

Just four points separated third-placed Newcastle and seventh-placed Nottingham Forest with two games remaining.

Forest dropped points at home to already-relegated Leicester City at the weekend and Carragher now expects Nuno Espirito Santo’s side to miss out on the Champions League.

That would be a painful outcome for a club who have sat third for much of the season before a huge drop-off in recent weeks, though the Europa League would at least give Forest a better chance of competing in Europe next season.

Ex-Liverpool and England defender Carragher has also tipped Chelsea to fail to qualify for the Champions League ahead of their final two Premier League games against Manchester United and Forest.

‘Chelsea will beat Man United,’ he said on Sky Sports. ‘It’s whether they can beat Nottingham Forest away.

‘There will be a big atmosphere there. Een if they can’t get Champions League football by then, I think Nottingham Forest, last game of the season, the supporters will be desperate to say almost like a big thank you for the season that they’ve had.

‘They’ve got European football which is a great achievement. I actually think it’ll be Chelsea and Nottingham Forest who miss out and Aston Villa get in.’

Earlier in the season, ex-Liverpool and England defender Carragher said it would be a ‘disaster’ for Chelsea to once again fail to qualify for the Champions League.

Carragher even suggested missing out on Champions League qualification could force some Chelsea players, most notably England star Cole Palmer, away from Stamford Bridge.

‘Chelsea have spent over a billion quid,’ he said. ‘They’re out of the cup competitions, the European cup competition [UEFA Conference League] is not a European competition for Chelsea.

‘They can play the second string all the way to the final. They have to get Champions League. If they don’t get Champions League it’ll be a disaster, it will be.

‘The one worry I took from this game [a 3-0 defeat to Brighton] was not just how poor they were, it was the frustration on Cole Palmer.

‘He won’t wait around for this idea that in a couple of years we’re going to make the Champions League.

‘Imagine saying that to Cole Palmer, that it’s going to be a couple of years until we get in the Champions League.’

While Chelsea look to secure a top-five finish, they also have one eye on the Europa Conference League final, to be played on May 28 against Spanish side Real Betis.

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Is the Spaniard under pressure after another trophyless season?

‘Liverpool don’t need a circus.’

‘Saliba gets caught in no man’s land!’

‘Saliba gets caught in no man’s land!’

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher hit out at Mikel Arteta over a ‘nonsense’ claim he made about Arsenal following their Champions League exit.

Arsenal’s impressive Champions League run, which included a sensational quarter-final victory over reigning champions Real Madrid, was ended by Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.

PSG won 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium and Arteta’s side were unable to produce a comeback in Paris, losing 2-1 at the Parc des Princes to exit the Champions League and go a fifth season without a trophy.

Speaking after the defeat, Arteta claimed Arsenal had been the better team across the two legs and even suggested the Gunners had been the standout side in this year’s Champions League.

‘When you look at the two games their best player on the pitch has been the goalkeeper, he has been the difference for them in the tie,’ Arteta said.

‘We were very close, much closer than the result showed but unfortunately we are out. I am very proud of the players. After 20 minutes it should have been 3-0.

‘We were very close and for long periods of both games we were much better than them but we are not there and that has to hurt.

‘100% I don’t think there’s been a better team [than Arsenal] in the competition from what I have seen, but we are out.’

But ex-England defender Carragher said Arteta’s assertion that Arsenal have been the standout team in Europe this season was ‘nonsense’.

Carragher also took issue with a recent interview in which Arteta falsely claimed Liverpool had ‘won the league’ with less points than Arsenal have amassed over the last two seasons.

‘Winning trophies is about being in the right moment in the right place,’ Arteta said ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final against PSG.

‘Liverpool have won the title with less points than we have in the last two seasons. With the points of the past two season we have two Premier League [titles].’

Already on 82 points, Liverpool could still surpass the 89 points Arsenal achieved last season and the 84 they reached in 2022-23.

‘When a manager speaks straight after the game he’s obviously still emotional,’ Carragher said on CBS Sports.

‘I’ve seen another interview where he said he feels Arsenal have been the best team in the Champions League this season on what they’ve done. That’s nonsense, they’re not.

‘He said something similar the other day about Liverpool’s points tally. He’s just an emotional manager at the moment.’

PSG prove too strong for Arsenal

Needing to overturn a one-goal deficit to advance to the Champions League final, Arsenal flew out the traps in Paris but were denied on more than one occasion by the inspired Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Fabian Ruiz’s superb goal midway through the first half eased the PSG nerves and they appeared to put the tie to bed when Achraf Hakimi scored a second on 72 minutes.

Arsenal did rally and score their first goal of the tie through Bukayo Saka but PSG were good value for their win and will now face Inter Milan in the Champions League final.

Reacting to the heartbreaking defeat, Gunners captain Martin Odegaard said: ‘We gave it a proper go.

‘We started the game really well. We were on the front foot, had the momentum, a few big chances but in the end it wasn’t enough.

‘Between the boxes we did well inside the two over the two games we weren’t good enough. Credit to their goalkeeper who made amazing saves.

‘It wasn’t enough and that’s painful. Massive disappointment but we have to stay strong and together. Take the lessons, take the pain and use it to come back stronger.’

PSG will meet Inter Milan in the May 31 final after the Serie A giants beat Barcelona 7-6 on aggregate in an all-time Champions League classic.

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Jamie Carragher believes a fourth team could launch a surprise title challenge when Liverpool look to defend the Premier League next season.

It’s been a marvellous maiden campaign for Arne Slot at Anfield as the Dutchman guided Liverpool to the Premier League title with four games remaining.

And while Manchester City and Arsenal have enjoyed subdued campaigns, the Reds have been imperious, losing only two league games to draw them level with arch-rivals Manchester United on 20 English league titles.

‘I’m delighted Liverpool won the title, nobody expected that and to do it so comfortably, you can’t really believe it,’ Carragher told Metro at the 2025 Women’s Football Awards.

‘A great job by the players but especially from the manager.

‘Now the exciting part is what is he going to do in the summer to put his stamp on the squad, because it’s just a squad that was left by Jurgen Klopp that he’s managed to get a little bit more out of.’

Federico Chiesa’s arrival from Juventus was the only signing made by Slot during his first summer window at Anfield, but Carragher is expecting the Dutchman to be far more active this time around having fully got to grips with his squad.

‘I think now he’ll look to bring his own players in,’ the former Liverpool defender added.

‘The club have had 12 months to assess everything transfer-wise and the manager has also had time fo see who he rates and doesn’t rate and I would expect five or six players to leave and five or six to come in and then Liverpool will be a lot stronger.’

Even if they strengthen, Liverpool will no doubt be prepared for a tougher title race next time around, with City and Arsenal also likely to recruit heavily in the summer in a bid to bounce back next season.

But Carragher warned his former side that they should also keep an eye out for a surprise challenge from the chasing pack, and earmarked Newcastle as a side who could take the next step up and challenge for league silverware.

Eddie Howe’s side started slowly this campaign but have been superb since the turn of the year, further demonstrating their quality when they defeated Liverpool to win the Carabao Cup a few months ago.

‘I think it will be them two (City and Arsenal) who come back to challenge Liverpool,’ Carragher said. ‘City will go again in the market and Arsenal will do will do the same.

‘But from that chasing pack, Newcastle could spring a surprise. If they keep their best players and just add one or two squad players, they are a top team.

‘We saw that against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final and they can take any of those teams. They’ve got great support at home as well and in certain positions – especially centre forward and central midfield – they have players who are as good as anybody in the Premier League.’

‘It’s great to see the growth of the Women’s Football Awards’

For a third year in a row, Carragher took on hosting duties at the Women’s Football Awards, a night dominated by Chelsea following their latest WSL triumph.

‘I thought it was a brilliant evening – I really enjoyed it and it was great to share the stage with a broadcasting legend like Gabby Logan,’ he reflected.

‘The media interest tells you how much it’s grown but as well with the players we got down here this evening. So I think you can just see it growing in terms of numbers, but in terms of the profile of people who are at the event.’

It could well get even better for women’s football in England in the coming months as the Lionesses look to defend the European Championship they won at Wembley back in 2022.

‘I think everybody comes together for the tournaments, he added. ‘You go back a few years to when they won the Euros and the level of interest was something I’d never seen before around a women’s tournament.

‘It just seemed to capture everybody’s imagination and it’s just gone from there. They came close obviously last time [in the World Cup], but hopefully they can go one better again.’

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Jamie Carragher believes a fourth team could launch a surprise title challenge when Liverpool look to defend the Premier League next season.

It’s been a marvellous maiden campaign for Arne Slot at Anfield as the Dutchman guided Liverpool to the Premier League title with four games remaining.

And while Manchester City and Arsenal have enjoyed subdued campaigns, the Reds have been imperious, losing only two league games to draw them level with arch-rivals Manchester United on 20 English league titles.

‘I’m delighted Liverpool won the title, nobody expected that and to do it so comfortably, you can’t really believe it,’ Carragher told Metro at the 2025 Women’s Football Awards.

‘A great job by the players but especially from the manager.

‘Now the exciting part is what is he going to do in the summer to put his stamp on the squad, because it’s just a squad that was left by Jurgen Klopp that he’s managed to get a little bit more out of.’

Federico Chiesa’s arrival from Juventus was the only signing made by Slot during his first summer window at Anfield, but Carragher is expecting the Dutchman to be far more active this time around having fully got to grips with his squad.

‘I think now he’ll look to bring his own players in,’ the former Liverpool defender added.

‘The club have had 12 months to assess everything transfer-wise and the manager has also had time fo see who he rates and doesn’t rate and I would expect five or six players to leave and five or six to come in and then Liverpool will be a lot stronger.’

Even if they strengthen, Liverpool will no doubt be prepared for a tougher title race next time around, with City and Arsenal also likely to recruit heavily in the summer in a bid to bounce back next season.

But Carragher warned his former side that they should also keep an eye out for a surprise challenge from the chasing pack, and earmarked Newcastle as a side who could take the next step up and challenge for league silverware.

Eddie Howe’s side started slowly this campaign but have been superb since the turn of the year, further demonstrating their quality when they defeated Liverpool to win the Carabao Cup a few months ago.

‘I think it will be them two (City and Arsenal) who come back to challenge Liverpool,’ Carragher said. ‘City will go again in the market and Arsenal will do will do the same.

‘But from that chasing pack, Newcastle could spring a surprise. If they keep their best players and just add one or two squad players, they are a top team.

‘We saw that against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final and they can take any of those teams. They’ve got great support at home as well and in certain positions – especially centre forward and central midfield – they have players who are as good as anybody in the Premier League.’

‘It’s great to see the growth of the Women’s Football Awards’

For a third year in a row, Carragher took on hosting duties at the Women’s Football Awards, a night dominated by Chelsea following their latest WSL triumph.

‘I thought it was a brilliant evening – I really enjoyed it and it was great to share the stage with a broadcasting legend like Gabby Logan,’ he reflected.

‘The media interest tells you how much it’s grown but as well with the players we got down here this evening. So I think you can just see it growing in terms of numbers, but in terms of the profile of people who are at the event.’

It could well get even better for women’s football in England in the coming months as the Lionesses look to defend the European Championship they won at Wembley back in 2022.

‘I think everybody comes together for the tournaments, he added. ‘You go back a few years to when they won the Euros and the level of interest was something I’d never seen before around a women’s tournament.

‘It just seemed to capture everybody’s imagination and it’s just gone from there. They came close obviously last time [in the World Cup], but hopefully they can go one better again.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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