'Pollyfilla United' - Paul Merson bizarrely predicts what Ruben Amorim could do after Burnley clash
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Credit: Imago/Sky Sports
Chris Smith
Thu 28 August 2025 20:01, UK
Paul Merson believes Ruben Amorim could walk away from the Manchester United job rather than be sacked, if he fails to beat Burnley this weekend.
The Portuguese coach is at rock bottom following United’s humiliating exit in the EFL Cup second round at the hands of League Two Grimsby Town.
Amorim has won just 17 of his 45 games in charge of the Red Devils so far, with only seven of those wins coming in his 29 Premier League matches.
United lost 1-0 at home to Arsenal on the opening weekend before giving up the lead to draw 1-1 away at Fulham last week, meaning the upcoming clash against Burnley at Old Trafford is already a must-win in week three.
Amorim has come under heavy fire following Wednesday’s debacle at Blundell Park — which featured the manager refusing to watch the fatal penalty shootout, and United being 2-0 down inside just 30 minutes.
United fans are starting to turn on their manager, with fortunes not improving at all despite over £200million spent this summer revamping the forward line.
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And former Arsenal and England forward Paul Merson believes that, one way or another, Amorim will not be in charge after this weekend, if United fail to beat Burnley.
Manchester United statsRuben AmorimGames45Win17Draw9Lose19Goals for89Goals against86Goal difference+3Manchester United’s record under Ruben Amorim
Merson even backed the manager to walk away from the job — though he feels there’s more chance of Amorim pulling off a ‘pollyfilla’ face-saving job against the Clarets.
“I will be shocked if he’s still in charge if Man Utd don’t beat Burnley,” Merson told Sky Sports (28 August).
“But they will beat Burnley!
They will be called Pollyfilla United!
“I don’t think Amorim will be shy to go: I’ve had enough.
I’ve done what I can.
“I don’t think he is one to put himself through pain to get his payoff.
I don’t know the man, but coming across, I think he’s an honest man and will be honest with himself.
But I think they will beat Burnley.”
Football Insider verdict
Understandably, the United fanbase has been enraged by this latest embarrassment — especially with the strong team their side fielded in Lincolnshire.
Amorim is a very honest manager and is under no illusions that he and his players now have a job on their hands in earning back the trust of that fanbase.
The former Sporting CP boss says Man United have a ‘debt’ to repay to their fans following the EFL Cup exit, starting with a strong performance against Burnley.
“In the end, the penalties don’t matter.
We have a job to do, a job to prepare and then we’ll stop and think things through.”
The Burnley fixture takes on extra importance, with United returning from the international break in horrendous fashion by facing local rivals Manchester City away, before a home clash against Chelsea.