Amorim's comments on job role

Ruben Amorim has challenged Manchester United's hierarchy to let him do his job without interference.

After hinting on Friday at issues behind the scenes, Amorim waited until the final question of his post-match media conference after the 1-1 draw at Leeds United to make another significant point.

In the process, he repeatedly stated he was ready to move on when his contract expires in 18 months' time, indicating he had encountered unwanted intrusion in his duties from senior United figures that would not be tolerated elsewhere.

He brought up the names of three high-profile former Premier League bosses and suggested they would not be subjected to the interference he feels he has experienced.

"I just want to say I came here to be the manager, not to be the coach," he said.

"In every department - the scouting department, the sporting director – [they] need to do their job. I will do mine for 18 months and then we move on.

"I just want to say that I'm going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach. I was really clear on that. That is going to finish in 18 months and then everyone is going to move on. That was the deal. That is my job. Not to be a coach."

When asked if he still feels he has the confidence of the United hierarchy, Amorim said: "To start with that, I noticed that you received selective information about everything.

"I came here to be the manager of Manchester United, not to be the coach of Manchester United. That is clear.

"I know that my name is not [Thomas] Tuchel, it's not [Antonio] Conte, it's not [Jose] Mourinho, but I'm the manager of Manchester United. And it's going to be like this for 18 months or when the board decides to change.

"I'm not going to quit. I will do my job until another guy is coming here to replace me."

But Amorim has been hinting for a couple of weeks all is not well at Old Trafford.

Step by step he has got closer to explaining exactly what the issue is and with those comments at Elland Road on Sunday, he pushed it a bit further.

In highlighting the scouting department and sporting director, he has turned his ire on head of recruitment Christopher Vivell and director of football Jason Wilcox.

Despite United remaining sixth in the Premier League, broadly in line with expectations, it seems as though Amorim is furious at unwanted interventions and also the club's stance on recruitment in this month's transfer window.

It gives minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and chief executive Omar Berrada - who personally chose Amorim to replace Erik ten Hag - a problem, not helped by the knowledge Amorim has to speak to the media again on Tuesday ahead of United's trip to Burnley and no matter what he says - even if it is refusing to talk - it will potentially be seen as a sign of tension.

One of United's other current issues is their lack of squad depth.

They were without eight players for Sunday's game at Leeds due to a combination of injury and international calls.

Amorim did say it was possible skipper Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount would be back for Wednesday's trip to Turf Moor.

In addition, after it was confirmed Morocco and Cameroon will meet in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final on Friday, Amorim also knows either Noussair Mazraoui or Bryan Mbuemo will be back at Carrington in time for the Manchester derby on 17 January.