Manchester United Manager Reveals Personal Shield Against Surging Social Media Abuse

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has disclosed his personal strategy for shielding himself and his family from the escalating tide of social media abuse targeting football figures. His remarks come amidst a recent investigation revealing a startling volume of over 2,000 highly abusive social media posts, including death and rape threats, directed at managers and players across the Premier League and Women’s Super League in a single weekend last month. Amorim, alongside Liverpool’s Arne Slot and Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe, emerged as among the most frequent targets in the men’s top flight.

Millenium TV has learned that the majority of these offensive messages, including racist slurs, homophobia, and threats of violence, originated from accounts within the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Data from the investigation, which analyzed posts during 10 Premier League matches and six WSL matches on November 8 and 9, indicated a concerning upward trend in such incidents, with managers targeted more often than players. A significant 82% of abusive posts were published on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Amorim explained his approach to safeguarding his well-being. “It’s normal in any profession when you are exposed to it,” he stated. “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 – most of the times I do – but it’s a way of me being healthy.” He emphasized his self-reliance for professional feedback, adding, “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.”

The manager also touched upon the financial sacrifices made to maintain his privacy. “I lose money from sponsors,” he mentioned, elaborating, “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.” He underscored the severity of the issue, noting, “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.”

Shifting focus to the pitch, Manchester United currently sits seventh in the Premier League. The team finished a disappointing 15th last season, their lowest standing since being relegated in 1973-74, and missed out on a European spot after a Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. This season also saw an early exit from the Carabao Cup to League Two side Grimsby Town.

In positive injury news, Amorim confirmed that striker Matheus Cunha is fit to return after a two-match absence due to a head injury. However, defender Harry Maguire and Slovenia forward Benjamin Sesko remain sidelined. Amorim also expressed concerns about the availability of two other unnamed players, which could impact his selection for Thursday’s home game against West Ham.

Millenium TV sources indicate that Amorim’s earlier reference to “social media abuse” regarding Cunha’s perceived lack of goals was made in jest. However, the manager was serious in highlighting that the £62.5 million signing had been overly focused on his goal tally, which currently stands at just one in 15 appearances for club and country. “He has more levels to go,” Amorim stated, adding, “He is at a different club with different pressure, but I think he copes with that well. He was struggling because he was not scoring and he was thinking too much about the numbers.” The manager stressed Cunha’s overall importance to the team, concluding, “The influence he has in the team is so important but I think Cunha has so much to grow defensively and offensively.”