The speed with which United issued support for Amorim in the wake of his post-match declaration was telling but the former Sporting coach knows the spotlight on him is fierce now.
He has said he feels his players are getting to grips with what he wants from them and there are definite signs of a structure and tactical patterns that were not evident in his first few weeks at the club.
In one first-half move on Wednesday, United manipulated a situation that allowed Casemiro to deliver a 60-yard crossfield pass, from right to left, over to Patrick Dorgu, who was in space by the touchline. Nothing came of the attack but it was an example of what Amorim is looking for.
But he knows, as does everyone else, that clubs of United’s size cannot lose consistently without consequence. A tally of six league wins in 26 games is simply not good enough.
There is no league with the strength in depth of the Premier League, underlined by what has happened to United this season.
However, if Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich or any of the big Italian clubs had a comparable campaign, it is pretty certain that, not only would the guy who started the season get axed, in all probability, the person who followed him would as well.
Amorim seems safe from that fate. But unsubstantiated rumours hang around of players not being happy with his methods. A couple of thoughtful trophy-winning former United players wonder how effective it can be having a coaching staff that, in some cases, is both younger and less experienced than the players they are attempting to work with.
Having the support of the ownership is one thing. The reality is Amorim must start winning quickly next season. The vultures are circling now. It will not take much for them to go for their prey.
What happens next?
Once Sunday’s game with Aston Villa is over, United leave for a two-game tour of Asia.
I cannot for one second think that any of the club’s established first-team players are relishing the prospect.
But Amorim has said, and others acknowledge, that the first team can have no argument over United taking unpopular decisions to generate more income – up to £10m in this instance – to make up for this season’s shortfall.
There is another ‘Super League’ club who have failed to secure European qualification for next season – Italian giants AC Milan. Do not be surprised if at least one friendly is arranged in a neutral country at some convenient point in the calendar.
The positive spin of no Europe means more chance to work on the training ground.
The negative, potentially, is that more of what is going on behind the scenes will make its way into the media because the season is not being punctuated by regular midweek matches and press conferences.
That is the thing with Manchester United. They are big news. They generate debate. Even when they are not very good, people still talk about them.