Under-fire Amorim accepts criticism as Man Utd crash at Brentford

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim reacts during their English Premier League match against Brentford at GTech Community Stadium, London, Sept. 27, 2025. (Reuters)
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Updated 27 September 2025
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Under-fire Amorim accepts criticism as Man Utd crash at Brentford

  • Lacklustre United’s third loss in six Premier League games this season has left Amorim fighting to avoid the sack
  • Amorim’s side were punished for shambolic defending as Igor Thiago netted twice in the first half

LONDON: Ruben Amorim said he would not try to protect himself or his players from the mounting pressure after Manchester United crashed to a dismal 3-1 defeat at Brentford on Saturday.
Lacklustre United’s third loss in six Premier League games this season has left Amorim fighting to avoid the sack.
Amorim’s side were punished for shambolic defending as Igor Thiago netted twice in the first half.
Benjamin Sesko, signed from Leipzig in the summer, bagged his first goal for United before half-time.
But Amorim’s misery mounted when United captain Bruno Fernandes had a second half penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher before Mathias Jensen struck in stoppage-time.
After Jensen’s decisive goal, Amorim had to endure chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” from jubilant Brentford fans at the Gtech Community Stadium.
“Ups and downs, when you win you feel the momentum is here,” said Amorim, who is still waiting to record successive league wins since taking charge in November.
“When you lose you go back to the same place and fight for the one win that can help you to create the momentum.
“I am always doing my job. If I win I’m in different state of mind, but I am always confident because I know what to do.
“I am trying to do my best for the club and the team, thinking what is the best to win the next game. Not to protect the players or myself, win the next game and create the momentum.”
Brentford might have been reduced to 10 men for the final 20 minutes when Nathan Collins dragged down former Bees striker Bryan Mbeumo.
But referee Craig Pawson deemed a spot-kick sufficient punishment and Collins did not see red, despite the defender not appearing to have any intention to play the ball.
“The referee told me Bryan is not in control of the ball. I think he is not in control of the ball because he was pulled. But that is the decision and I do not want to focus on the referee,” Amorim said.

- ‘We never settled down’ -

Amorim was reportedly backed by United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe during a recent meeting at the club’s training ground.
But Ratcliffe’s support could be wavering after United’s latest ignominious loss.
The former Sporting Lisbon boss was regarded as one of the brightest young coaches in Europe when he arrived to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.
But Amorim has found it impossible to lift United out of the malaise that has gripped them since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 after winning their most recent Premier League title.
Amorim presided over United’s worst top-flight season since 1973-74 and watched as they slumped to a limp 1-0 defeat against Tottenham in the Europa League final last season.
Ratcliffe gave Amorim over £250 million to spend on Sesko, Matheus Cunha and former Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo in a bid to revitalize his spluttering attack.
United have made a miserable start despite that investment, losing to Arsenal, Manchester City and Brentford, as well as suffering a humiliating League Cup loss at fourth tier Grimsby.
Amorim conceded United have a host of problems to solve before result can improve.
“The penalty in the second half changed things, but we never settled down. Possession and control of the game was never there, so we lost,” he said.
“We need to work on a lot of things and my biggest concern is we did not settle down in the game, missed a lot of crosses in final third, and suffered from transitions.
“We play the game of Brentford and when you play the opponents’ game it is harder to win.”


First female Japanese trainer targets the Saudi Cup

Updated 6 sec ago
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First female Japanese trainer targets the Saudi Cup

  • Kyoko Maekawa to run Sunrise Zipangu in Riyadh on Saturday Feb. 14

RIYADH: Kyoko Maekawa broke new ground last year when she became the first female to hold a training license in Japan, and just 12 months later she is eyeing the world’s richest race with Sunrise Zipangu (JPN) in the group one $20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Feb. 14.

The Japan Racing Association added her to the training ranks in March of 2025. And the former assistant to dual Saudi Cup-winning trainer Yoshito Yahgai made an immediate impact by landing a first win in her new role when Sunrise Ares (JPN) hit the target at Kochi on the 18th of that month.

Sunrise Zipangu has had only two starts for his new trainer. Last seen beaten by only two lengths over 2,500 meters on turf in the Arima Kinen, the 5-year-old will switch surfaces and drop to 1,800 meters for his first run outside Japan.

“Sunrise Zipangu has mainly been racing on turf recently, but he has the speed to perform well on dirt. I think that type of horse suits Saudi Arabia, and he also prefers racing anti-clockwise,” said Maekawa in a recent press release.

“The Saudi Cup was my first international race meeting with Yahagi two years ago, and I was deeply impressed by the hospitality — there was nothing to complain about. It is a wonderful country to be in, and it is a great honor to represent Japan at such an event.”

Having ridden dressage horses while at university, the 48-year-old then worked part-time at the Miho Training Centre, one of the two JRA training centers, which was her first real introduction to the horseracing industry.

“Training was always an option in my mind, but I didn’t take the trainer’s exam for nearly 15 years,” she said.

“I met Hanako Varian (wife of UK trainer Roger) in Newmarket, and she said to me, ‘Why don’t you try? Don’t overthink it.’ One of the barriers for me was the level of risk and responsibility trainers carry, especially toward their staff members.

“I am often asked if it is tough, but to be honest, I have received a great deal of support from many people. I have also gained much more media attention, which is essentially free advertising.

“That said, I still need to attract good owners and good horses for the sake of my staff. I must work hard on that, as I am not naturally a strong salesperson.”

Reflecting on her experience with the colorful Yahagi, who also landed the Saudi Cup with Panthalassa (JPN) in 2023, she said: “It was a very full and meaningful time.

“I traveled abroad nine times across six different countries, including Saudi Arabia. It was a precious experience for me to attend international race meetings and sales.

“Of course, my domestic experience with Yahagi Stable was also extremely valuable, but opportunities for that level of international travel are rare. I was also fascinated by how Yahagi Stable sometimes decides which race to enter at the last minute, after carefully studying the fields and form to give their horses the best possible chance.

“I race my horses quite frequently, probably more than most rookie trainers, which is something I learned directly from Yahagi.”

Like Sunrise Ares, Sunrise Zipangu races in the colors of Life House Co. Ltd. And it would be fitting should the owners who provide Maekawa with a first success were also behind the biggest of all should she strike in The Saudi Cup.