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Ruben Amorim, the Manchester United head coach, has confessed that sometimes he "wants to quit" as speculation over his future grows.
Following the team's Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League Two side Grimsby Town on Wednesday, an emotional Amorim admitted that "something has to change." Having won just eight out of his 34 domestic matches in charge, United has had a winless start to the season and won't see cup action again until the FA Cup third round in January.
Amorim has warned his players that he will continue to be brutally honest in his assessment if they suffer more disappointing defeats in the future, with newly-promoted Burnley set to visit Old Trafford on Saturday.
As per the Manchester Evening News, United insiders have clarified that Amorim's "quit" comment was meant in jest, rather than as a serious threat.
"Guys, to be really honest with you guys, every time that we have or have in the future one defeat like that, I'm going to be like that," Amorim said. "I'm going to say that sometimes I hate my players, sometimes I love my players, sometimes I want to defend my players.
"I think this is my way of doing things, and I'm going to be like that. And I felt that in that moment I was so frustrated and [annoyed]. And I know, again, that you have a lot of experienced people talking about the way I should perform with the media, to be more constant, to be more calm. I'm not going to be like that.
"So I'm trying to accept that and I'm going to be who I am. That's why I have the passion that I have. In that moment, I was really upset and really disappointed because I felt that we had a very good pre-season, we were playing better, we were being consistent in the way we played.
"We played badly for 30 minutes against Fulham. And then that kind of performance, I was really disappointed with everything. But now it's a new game and I'm focused on the next one.
"If you are in one way, if you have this kind of behaviour, you have to understand that you have things that is good on that type of behaviour, that you have the other side of the coin. So I understand that.
"And again, sometimes I want to quit, sometimes I want to be here for 20 years, sometimes I love to be with my players, sometimes I don't want to be with them. So, again, I need to improve on that. It's going to be hard. But now I'm good with the next one."
Amorim confessed following United's Europa League final defeat to Tottenham in May that he would depart without seeking compensation if the club's hierarchy withdrew their support.
When pressed on whether those sentiments remained, Amorim responded: "I felt that after the game (at Grimsby). I don't feel that now.
"So it's a little bit like that. I think that is the hardest part of the defeat. Sometimes it's not the result, it's the way we lost that game or draw that game. That is the thing that is hard to accept. Because we can do better.
"In this moment, we cover positions, fight for the ball, running, all these small things, sometimes we drop a little bit the level. The good thing is that we now have the next game to put that level up. And that is the problem."
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