Rio Ferdinand reveals what he 'didn't want to say' about Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim

Rio Ferdinand believes Ruben Amorim could have been sacked by Manchester United had his side been beaten by Sunderland. Speaking ahead of Saturday’s game against the Black Cats, Amorim admitted the United board will sack him if he continues to lose matches.

However, first-half goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin-Sesko secured the Red Devils a 2-0 victory that helped ease the pressure on the former Sporting CP boss. The United hierarchy have repeatedly told the 40-year-old that he is their man for the long term, but Ferdinand believes that stance would have been tested had his old side suffered defeat at Old Trafford.

"I think there would have been serious conversations being had if they had not beaten Sunderland," he told his .

"I didn't want to say it before the game but after the result the previous week, if they had lost to Sunderland I think it would’ve been a difficult conversation for Ineos to not consider relieving him of his duties.

"He's got to live another day, that's what we've been talking about, 'can you get some results? Can you find some consistency?'

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"In an ideal world, performances will be key in that but I don't think we’re in a position to be worrying about performances, you need to get points on the board, get the team getting momentum and getting up the league."

Speaking after the game, Amorim said: "That is the kind of game where when we're not playing well we're defending well.

"We had our moments, we were focussed and competitive. Not the perfect performance. Senne [Lammens] did really well. We were a competitive and adult team today.

"We need to win these games with a clean sheet. Good for us. We need to understand that we need everyone to be ready to play.

"It's a long season, we have a lot of problems, anything can happen. The important thing is that the teammates helped Lammens a lot to have a very good performance."

Before he continued: "I know they want to do their best – and I know they don’t want to change the coach all the time.

"But, like I said during this week, to be with the manager is 'I will kill myself to go in every transition'. We need to show with actions.

"And sometimes when we look at our team I know for sure that when we see the games in the end they know that sometimes we can do better.

"So, I feel that during the week but we need to show that on the pitch, not just at home but also away."

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