Gary Neville details Ruben Amorim sack theory as Man United owners make big decision

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Gary Neville has warned Ruben Amorim that his job could be on the line if Manchester United lose to Sunderland this weekend. The Red Devils will welcome Régis Le Bris' side to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon as they desperately seek to haul themselves up the Premier League table .

Amorim will be praying United can bounce back to winning ways following their crushing loss to Brentford, while Sunderland have the chance to surge into the top four. The Black Cats have enjoyed a brilliant beginning to the campaign, collecting 11 points from their opening six fixtures .

Just goal difference keeps Sunderland in fifth behind Tottenham Hotspur in fourth, and they sit just four points adrift of table-toppers Liverpool . United would typically be fancied to overcome the newly-promoted side, but Neville is concerned the Black Cats could cause an upset .

Speaking on his podcast at St. James' Park after Arsenal's win over Newcastle , the United legend insisted 'very big questions' would be posed to the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe should Sunderland emerge triumphant. He also explained why he's 'worried' about the club's future.

"I think when it gets to this point, you've got to see what happens next Saturday against Sunderland," said Neville. "You've got a game at home against Sunderland.

"And Sunderland, as we know, are obviously in decent form. But if that game goes against Manchester United, you're going to start seeing very, very, very big questions being asked of the ownership.

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"Big questions. They brought a young manager in. He's played a completely different system. They've invested in a completely different system. They brought [Patrick] Dorgu in, and they brought other players.

"And if they were to be 14th, 15th, 16th in October, which was where I said at the start of the season, if Manchester United are where they were last season in October, it's not a one-off.

"It becomes what you are, and it becomes a pattern, and then managers come under huge pressure. We've seen what's happened with Graham Potter (at West Ham ) in the last few days."

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Neville continued: "So, look, that's why I'm worried. That's why I'm worried because this is not going to go away, and it's going to build up in this next week or so. And I think that a victory is needed more than ever at Old Trafford on Saturday against Sunderland."

Despite doubts surrounding his position, the Manchester Evening News have reported that Amorim retains the support of United's hierarchy, with chiefs deciding against axing him for now. Whilst the Portuguese boss may remain in favour with his superiors, Neville reckons the squad has grown disillusioned with his methods.

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Speaking about the Brentford result, the ex-England international said: "I think there are a lot of United fans coming out of that ground last Saturday, including me, thinking Brentford away, Sunderland at home next week has a real opportunity to get nine points on the board, on the bounce, and then you'll be well up in the top six or eight.

"But the Brentford game was a really poor performance and a real worry. I felt for the first time, just through instinct, watching it on the television, seeing players' faces and body language, that there might be an element of players really doubting the system and what's going on."

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