Man Utd's next five games as Ruben Amorim deadline looms into view for Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Ruben Amorim may have one more month to improve results at Manchester United and avoid being sacked. It was previously reported that the Red Devils may delay letting Amorim go due to the substantial compensation package he would receive.

The Portuguese boss was signed from Sporting for £9.2million, and receives £6.5m annually as part of a two-and-a-half-year deal. As per the Daily Mail, United would need to hand over £12m if they sack the 40-year-old before he reaches 12 months of service. 

Given that he joined on November 1 last year, this could well be the timeline that Amorim has to prove his worth or face the axe - as his compensation package would drop in value if the hierarchy were to sack him after this date.

In the coming weeks, United have two games at Old Trafford and three away fixtures that involve teams currently in the top five of the Premier League table. Up first is a visit from newly-promoted Sunderland, who are flying high on their return to the top flight.

The Black Cats might have looked like an easy fixture at the start of the season. But they've lost just one game out of six so far, with victories against Brentford, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest under their belts.

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Draws against an unbeaten Crystal Palace and Aston Villa have placed them fifth in the Premier League table - and while Old Trafford was once a fortress, Regis Le Bris' side will fancy their chances of an upset away from home.

A daunting trip to Anfield comes after the international break on October 19, with the league leaders winning five and losing one game domestically this season. While they have had some recent disappointment against Palace and then Galatasaray in the Champions League, United fans won't be confident in heading to Merseyside so early on in the season.

Brighton come calling next, and this may be the one game Amorim could have some confidence heading into. The Seaguls have an even record in the Premier League and sit in 10th place, drawing with Tottenham and losing to Bournemouth in September.

A 3-1 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, albeit against 10 men, could be a worrying sign of their potential away form, but Amorim will hope the crowd is behind him heading into that one. After that are two away trips, one at Nottingham Forest and the other to Tottenham, which may well be the final rodeo for the United boss.

When asked if he can still turn things around in Manchester after a 3-1 defeat to Brentford, Amorim said: "It’s like ups and downs. When you win, you feel that everything, the momentum is there. When you lose, you go back to the same place and you fight again for one win that can help you to create the momentum.

"Guys, I'm always doing my job. If I win, I'm in a different state of mind. That is normal. I'm always confident because I know what to do."

Manchester United's next five games

Sunderland (H) - Saturday, October 4 at 3pm

Liverpool (A) - Sunday, October 19 at 4:30pm

Brighton and Hove Albion (H) - Saturday, October 25 at 5:30pm

Nottingham Forest (A) - Saturday, November 1 at 3pm

Tottenham Hotspur (A) - Saturday, November 8 at 12:30pm

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