Manchester United faces a critical period under manager Ruben Amorim, whose future at the club is subject to significant financial implications. Club bosses, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are currently backing the 40-year-old despite the team enduring its worst start to a season since 1992. However, a substantial severance fee of £12 million would be payable to Amorim if he were to be sacked before November 1, marking the one-year anniversary of his official appointment. This fee, along with potential pay-offs for his coaching staff, creates a compelling reason for the club to endure the current poor run of results for at least seven more weeks.

Amorim took charge on November 1 last year, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal worth £6.5 million per season, following Erik ten Hag and interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy. Since his arrival, United has accumulated the lowest points tally of any ever-present Premier League side, with only 31 points from 31 games. His win rate is also reported to be the lowest of any Red Devils manager since World War Two, highlighting the severity of the team's struggles on the pitch.

The upcoming fixture list presents a daunting challenge for Amorim and his squad. Manchester United is set to host Chelsea at Old Trafford next weekend, followed by an away trip to Brentford. They will then face in-form Sunderland at home before a difficult visit to Anfield to play champions Liverpool. Their 'bogey team,' Brighton, will then visit Manchester. The pivotal date of November 1 sees United taking on Nottingham Forest, managed by Ange Postecoglou, who proved adept at thwarting United last season while at Tottenham. The continuation of poor results could severely test the patience of United chiefs, with reports already suggesting some players have lost faith in Amorim, a claim the club denies.

Despite the concerning results, underlying numbers offer a glimmer of hope. In their opening four games this season, United have topped the league for shots and touches in the opposition box, and are in the top five for shots on target, expected goals, and passes into the opposition box. This marks a notable improvement from last term, where they ranked in the bottom half for several offensive metrics. However, the most critical issue remains their glaring inability to convert chances, with Amorim's side ranking 11th in goals scored and 17th for shot conversion.

This goal-scoring drought brings attention to players like Benjamin Sesko, the £74 million forward. Club icon Rio Ferdinand expressed concern over the 22-year-old's performance in the recent Manchester derby, where Sesko had no touches in the opposition box, managed only one shot, and often positioned himself in the centre circle. Ferdinand highlighted the lack of created chances for Sesko, emphasizing that the club must quickly address how to get their new striker into goal-scoring opportunities to remedy the team's inability to find the back of the net.