• Coach believed club would back him in January window

• Amorim had cast doubt on long-term future at United

Ruben Amorim’s future at Manchester United is in the balance, with the head coach’s strained relationship with the director of football, Jason Wilcox, a factor in what is viewed as an unpredictable situation at the club.

Amorim believed United were prepared to back him in the January transfer window should a major signing become available but at the moment this has changed, causing him discontent. The 40-year-old is believed to have been informed of this on the authority of Wilcox, who reports to Omar Berrada, the chief executive.

Manchester United’s head coach appeared downbeat when questioned over not being able to acquire enough top players to suit his preferred formation

Ruben Amorim offered a collector’s item on Friday – a point-blank refusal to address a question that concerned an answer he previously gave. In doing so, he hinted at a disquiet concerning the club’s transfer policy.

“You said you’re starting to understand that to play 3-4-3, you [need] a lot of top players and that’s not possible. Can I ask why you never realised that when you first came into the club?” was the question put to Amorim in his press conference for United’s visit to Leeds on Sunday.