Richard Keys backs surprising manager to replace Ruben Amorim at Man Utd | Football

Richard Keys has questioned whether Manchester United should stick with Ruben Amorim and named a manager he believes could take over at Old Trafford.

United’s dismal Premier League form continued on Sunday as Amorim’s side were beaten 1-0 at home by Wolves.

A 15th league defeat of the season leaves Manchester United 14th in the table with five games remaining.

The Red Devils produced one of the great comebacks to advance in the Europa League on Thursday night but reverted to type three days later against a Wolves team who have occupied a bottom-three place for much of the season.

Sports broadcaster Keys questioned Amorim’s future at the Theatre of Dreams following the disappointing defeat.

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‘The question is, would you trust him now, from what we’ve seen, to rebuild Manchester United with another £250m?’ he asked on beIN SPORTS.

Andy Gray responded: ‘If you don’t, then who? That is the question.’

It was at this point that Keys recommended ex-England manager Sir Gareth Southgate to the Manchester United board.

Southgate resigned as England boss last summer after leading England to the final of Euro 2024.

Under the former Premier League defender, England also reached the final of Euro 2020 and the latter stages of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

‘Do you want me to answer the question? Gareth Southgate,’ Keys said.

A surprised Gray sat back in his seat at the mention of Southgate and said: ‘On what grounds?’

Keys added: ‘On the grounds that he’s taken England to two European Championship finals. 

‘He understands a modern player and what’s required in order to make the modern player feel good about himself, his football team and the club he plays for. 

‘He’s a master of manipulation and motivation.’

Gray then said: ‘Sorry, is this the same Gareth Southgate I’ve heard you chat to me about all these years?

‘Come on! Manipulator and motivator? Keysey – he won nothing!’

But Keys continued to defend Southgate, who has been replaced by new England manager Thomas Tuchel.

‘You cannot knock the fact he took England to two finals and was a whisker away from winning something,’ he said. ‘He is available, and he’s highly regarded as a coach.

‘His club career was not littered with success but what I’m saying is that he’s grown as a coach, working with the finest talent available, into somebody who is a big club character.

‘So why not? I believe he’s someone who understands the modern player as well or better than most. Speak to people who have worked with him and they will give him a glowing reference.’

Amorim reaction to Wolves defeat

Speaking after Manchester United’s deflating defeat to Wolves, Amorim said: ‘We didn’t score our opportunities. That’s it. We need to score goals.

‘This season is going to end like this so we need to take the positives and work on what we need to improve.

‘We have to look at everything, our squad, what we have to do in the market. We will see.

‘We talk every day about next season and with time we will get what we need to improve the team.’

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