Man Utd news conference: Amorim ‘needs to protect family’ from social media abuse

Authors: BBC Sport

Publisher:

BBC

Published: 12/3/2025

Language:English

--:--

Orion

Good morning bixooooo, I'm Orion, and this is Goose Pod for you. Today is Tuesday, December 09th. We are diving into a story about boundaries in the digital age. I'm joined by Taylor to discuss the Man Utd news conference: Amorim ‘needs to protect family’ from social media abuse.

Taylor

This is fascinating, Orion. Ruben Amorim, the Manchester United manager, has essentially built a fortress around his personal life. He revealed in a news conference that he refuses to read social media or even watch TV discussions about the club. He says it is the only way to protect his family and his sanity.

Orion

It sounds like a survival strategy in a hostile environment. He called it a mechanism to stay healthy. But this isn't just about one man's preference, is it? The backdrop here is a chilling BBC investigation that uncovered over two thousand abusive posts directed at Premier League managers and players in just a single weekend.

Taylor

Exactly. The data is staggering. Eighty-two percent of that abuse was found on X, formerly Twitter. And it’s not just noise, Orion. We are talking about death threats and rape threats. Amorim, along with Arne Slot and Eddie Howe, topped the list of targets. Amidst this storm, Amorim also confirmed Matheus Cunha is finally back from injury.

Orion

Cunha’s return is crucial, yet even he hasn't been spared. Amorim mentioned Cunha struggled initially at the club, not just physically, but mentally, because of online abuse regarding his goal tally. It paints a picture of a digital coliseum where the spectators are armed with more than just jeers.

Taylor

To understand the scale of this coliseum, we have to look at the ecosystem. The Professional Footballers’ Association, or PFA, has been categorizing social media as an extension of the workplace. They argue that because players use these platforms for commercial obligations, employers have a duty of care. It’s a fascinating shift in labor rights definitions.

Orion

And the tools of warfare are evolving. We are seeing things like 'Social Protect,' an AI service used by Team GB athletes to filter out hate speech in real-time. It scans for two million abusive phrases. But it feels like a never-ending arms race between the abusers and the protectors.

Taylor

It is an arms race. Remember the study on the 'White Lives Matter' backlash? It showed how platforms like Twitter are structurally designed to amplify conflict through 'prosumption'—where users produce and consume hate simultaneously. This isn't new; it's a feature of the algorithm. Now, managers like Amorim are simply opting out of the algorithm entirely.

Orion

Opting out seems to be the only shield left. The PFA notes that fifty-six percent of abusive messages in previous studies were racist. When you have sixty-one percent of these messages coming from the UK and Ireland, it’s a homegrown crisis. Amorim isn't just dodging critics; he is dodging a localized toxicity that has become systemic in English football.

Taylor

And historically, United has been a lightning rod. Finishing fifteenth last season created a vacuum of negativity. When performance dips, the data shows abuse spikes. Amorim is trying to break that feedback loop by cutting the cord, but as we will see, that decision comes with its own set of complications.

Orion

That decision comes with a literal price tag. Amorim admitted he loses money from sponsors because he won't engage on Instagram. He said, 'It is not worth some more dollars or pounds.' He is choosing a normal life over maximizing his commercial value. That is a rare trade-off in modern sports.

Taylor

It is a strategic pivot, Orion. In the 'CEO mindset,' you usually maximize all channels. But Amorim is calculating the ROI on his mental health. The conflict here is that the industry demands visibility. By stepping back, he is protecting his family, but he is also leaving money on the table. It challenges the notion that public figures 'signed up for this.'

Orion

He said it’s 'normal' now to have that abuse, which is the most disturbing part. He accepts it as the weather. Meanwhile, he has to manage players like Leny Yoro, who Amorim says 'struggles' mentally after making mistakes. The manager has to be the umbrella for the squad while holding his own umbrella against the world.

Taylor

And that creates a tension in leadership. He has to tell Cunha to ignore the numbers and the noise, while acknowledging that the noise is deafening. It is hard to implement a tactical revolution—like his 3-4-3 formation—when your soldiers are psychologically under siege. The enemy isn't just West Ham; it's the notification tab.

Orion

The impact on the pitch is tangible. Cunha was 'thinking too much about the numbers' because of social media. That hesitation, that split-second doubt, is the difference between a goal and a miss. It turns a physical game into a psychological burden. It’s haunting to think how many careers are being eroded by pixels.

Taylor

But look at the contrast with Matthijs de Ligt. He is described as entering his prime, 'assertive' and 'dominant.' He seems to have found a way to filter it out, or perhaps his performance inoculates him. It shows that resilience is variable. However, for the collective, if the manager is checking out of the conversation to survive, it signals a broken relationship between the club and the culture.

Orion

It definitely ripples out. If the man at the helm says 'I don't need other feelings,' he is closing ranks. It protects the inner circle, but it isolates them from the fans—both the good and the bad. It creates a siege mentality that can either forge a team of iron or crack under the pressure of silence.

Taylor

Looking forward, this 'siege mentality' might be exactly what United needs to climb back from seventh place. Amorim is trying to install a complex 3-4-3 system that requires absolute focus. If he can get players like Shea Lacey and the returning Cunha to buy into his 'bubble,' they might just salvage the season.

Orion

It is a gamble on focus over fame. We might see more managers following suit, creating a new era where silence is the ultimate luxury. For now, Amorim plays West Ham on Thursday, and his biggest victory might just be keeping the world at bay.

Taylor

The ultimate takeaway is that in a hyper-connected world, disconnection is a superpower. Thank you for listening to Goose Pod. See you tomorrow.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim prioritizes family well-being by avoiding social media and TV discussions due to rampant online abuse. This strategy, while costly commercially, highlights a growing crisis in football where players and managers face severe threats, impacting mental health and performance. Disconnection becomes a necessary shield.

Read original at BBC →

Until the next timepublished at 14:06 GMT Thanks for joining us for this swift live page on Ruben Amorim's news conference.All the key lines from today can be found in the recap below or by checking out the summary points at the top of this page.Make sure you join our colleagues later this evening for full live text coverage of Wednesday evening's Premier League action.

Until then, enjoy the rest of your afternoon. Recap: Amorim news conferencepublished at 14:03 GMTManchester United Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media today before his side's Premier League match against West Ham United on Thursday evening.Here are the top lines from his news conference: He revealed his own coping mechanism is "I don't read it, I protect myself" Amorim said there are "two doubts" in his squad for tomorrow evening but confirmed that forward Matheus Cunha is back and available He claimed that Cunha struggled initially when he joined the club due to "social media abuse" The Portuguese manager said that defender Leny Yoro "struggles" mentally when he makes a mistake during a game Amorim said teenage winger Shea Lacey is "ready to play" for the first team And finally, he praised defender Diogo Dalot but added that he "can do a lot of things better" Image source, Getty Images get involvedGet Involved - 'No way Cunha should sit on bench'published at 13:59 GMTClick 'Get Involved' to have your say No way a fully fit Cunha should sit on the bench!

Shame for Zirkzee, but that’s how football is.MikeCunha should start. Zirkzee benched. I’m happy Martinez is back - he could be key to how we defend and attack quicker.AlecImage source, Getty Images get involvedGet Involved - 'Stick with same line-up'published at 13:56 GMTClick 'Get Involved' to have your say Cunha should start on the bench - we looked solid against Palace, let's stick with the same line up.

David get involvedGet Involved - should Cunha start?published at 13:54 GMTClick 'Get Involved' to have your say We started this page by asking whether you would start Matheus Cunha, if the Brazil forward was passed fit to play. Well, we now know that he is "back", as confirmed by Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.

So, the question remains, should Cunha start? If so, who should he replace in starting line-up? 'Dalot can do a lot of things better'published at 13:50 GMTMan Utd v West Ham (Thu, 20:00 GMT)Manchester United Here's a final word from Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on defender Diogo Dalot: "He can do a lot of things better, like other players.

When you see a very good game of Diogo, he can show he has the quality, but sometimes he drops a little bit, but if you look at our team, everyone is a little bit like that."He’s really powerful, he’s good on set-pieces, he can play both sides. "To have that ability of playing both sides and being able to change through a game, that can help you to think about the squad.

He is one player, an international player and always playing for his national team."He’s a very important player for us but he needs to improve like any other player."Image source, Getty Images Lacey is 'ready to play'published at 13:48 GMTMan Utd v West Ham (Thu, 20:00 GMT)Manchester United Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on Shea Lacey and helping him adapt to first team football: "We try to explain every day how to play, if you're comfortable and don’t have any doubts when you are playing that will help the kids."

Then to work the physicality, the speed of the pressure, the moments to have the ball and pass the ball is completely different to Under-21s. He’ll have the chance, I don’t know, but he’s ready to play."Image source, Getty Images 'I have no doubts Nuno will have success'published at 13:44 GMTMan Utd v West Ham (Thu, 20:00 GMT)Manchester United Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on Nuno Espirito Santo: "I have no doubts he will have success.

He’s really experienced, he knows how to work with different squads, understands really well the league."We know it’s going to be tough, he’s really smart preparing the games. The preparation is about the opponent but I’m focused on what we need to do and what we need to improve, especially if you look at our first half against Crystal Palace."

It is going to be a tough match." Image source, Getty Images 'Yoro makes a mistake and then he struggles'published at 13:40 GMTMan Utd v West Ham (Thu, 20:00 GMT)Manchester United More from Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on Leny Yoro's reaction to giving away a penalty at Crystal Palace and his subsequent substitution: "I also spoke with him because he thinks too much, he makes a mistake and then he struggles.

He wants to do everything so well. He’s growing, with games and with setbacks, it’s not easy for him as a young guy. "He cannot show that to the people the way he came to the bench, he knows that. It shows he cares, he knows it wasn’t his best game. He is fit and ready for the next challenge." Image source, Getty Images 'Cunha has more levels to go'published at 13:37 GMTMan Utd v West Ham (Thu, 20:00 GMT)Manchester United Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on Matheus Cunha: "He has more levels to go.

He’s at a different club, different pressure, he was struggling because he was not scoring and because of social media abuse, he was thinking too much about the numbers but the influence he has in the team is important to us."I think he has so much to grow offensively and defensively." Image source, Getty Images get involvedGet Involvedpublished at 13:36 GMTClick 'Get Involved' to have your say If Cunha is fit, he has to play.

United lack creativity without his flair. Despite their goals Mount & Zirkzee aren't good enough to put United back to the top.RP 'We have two doubts'published at 13:36 GMTMan Utd v West Ham (Thu, 20:00 GMT)Manchester United Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on team news: "We have two doubts for the game but I will not tell you today.

It will change the way we’re going to approach it, let’s see if they can play. The rest of the squad is good. Matheus [Cunha] is back. Harry [Maguire] and [Benjamin] Sesko are still out." 'It is normal to have abuse so it is the only way to survive'published at 13:35 GMTMan Utd v West Ham (Thu, 20:00 GMT)Manchester United Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim was asked about the online abuse directed at him: "It’s normal in any profession when you are exposed to it.

I don’t read it, I protect myself. I don’t watch TV when they are talking about Manchester United. Not because I don’t agree, a lot of time I do, but it’s a way of me being healthy."My feeling as a coach is enough, I don’t need other feelings. The only way, there is no other way, is to protect myself.

"Of course, I lose money from sponsors. On Instagram I could earn a lot of money (but) for my protection of my family and living a normal life it is not worth some more dollars or pounds. It is not worth it."I protect myself and nobody can be tougher than me when we lose and when we don’t play well.

Nowadays it’s really normal to have that abuse so it’s the only way to survive in this world." Image source, Getty Images Cunha 'back', Maguire & Sesko outpublished at 13:34 GMTMan Utd v West Ham (Thu, 20:00 GMT)Manchester United Manchester United manager confirmed that Harry Maguire and Benjamin Sesko will miss Thursday's game against West Ham, while Matheus Cunha is "back".

Amorim added that he had doubts over the fitness of two players, but refused to identify them.More to follow. Amorim on social media abusepublished at 13:30 GMTMan Utd v West Ham (Thu, 20:00 GMT)Manchester United Ruben Amorim is talking now and his first question was about BBC's report into the abuse football players and managers suffer on social media.

The Manchester United manager says the only way he can protect himself and his family from abuse is to stay off social media. More to follow. Man Utd's next five fixturespublished at 13:30 GMTManchester United Ruben Amorim has favourable fixtures on his side on the lead up to Boxing Day - on paper at least.

Four of Manchester United's next five opponents are in the bottom half including Wolves who are yet to register a win so far this season.Three of the next five are also on home soil. West Ham (h) Wolves (a) Bournemouth (h) Aston Villa (a) Newcastle United (h) Man Utd's recent formpublished at 13:28 GMTMan Utd v West Ham (Thu, 20:00 GMT)Manchester United Things have been far from plain sailing for Ruben Amorim since taking the reins at Manchester United but a recent up-turn in form has brought with it a renewed sense of optimism.

United have just one defeat in their last seven and know a positive result on Thursday evening could see them jump into the top four of the Premier League.Last seven results: Crystal Palace 1-2 Man Utd Man Utd 0-1 Everton Tottenham 2-2 Man Utd Nottingham Forest 2-2 Man Utd Man Utd 4-2 Brighton Liverpool 1-2 Man Utd Man Utd 2-0 Sunderland Image source, Getty Images get involvedGet Involved - should Cunha start?

published at 13:26 GMTClick 'Get Involved' to have your say Absolutely. I think Cunha is our most dangerous player. Statistically his output hasn't been stand-out but watching him play - his pace, directness and aggressive style - he is a danger to defences. I think we will see him start scoring soon enough.

Danny Gameweek 14 results/fixturespublished at 13:24 GMTAll upcoming fixtures kick-off at 19:30 GMT unless statedPremier League Just three games have taken place so far this week, with seven more to come over the next two nights.Here's your full classified round-up:Tuesday Bournemouth 0-1 Everton Fulham 4-5 Manchester City Newcastle United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur Wednesday Arsenal v Brentford Brighton v Aston Villa Burnley v Crystal Palace Wolves v Nottingham Forest Leeds United v Chelsea (20:15) Liverpool v Sunderland (20:15) Thursday Manchester United v West Ham United (20:00) Premier League table as it standspublished at 13:23 GMT Before we hear from Ruben Amorim, let's remind ourselves how things stand in the Premier League table.

Manchester United could potentially move into the top four should they get a victory on Thursday evening and results go their way tonight.West Ham United, on the other hand, could drop back into the bottom three before tomorrow night's fixture.