While Ruben Amorim is under increasing pressure at Manchester United, two potential replacements for the head coach have been denied as being considered. Suggestions have been made that club legend Michael Carrick was being sounded out as a possible short-term replacement for Amorim in case of a mid-season shake-up.

There were also whispers of Jose Mourinho making a potential return to the north west prior to his appointment at Benfica this week. Amorim has failed to make much of a mark since arriving at Old Trafford last November.

While a 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season may have been a major cause for concern, the 40-year-old was excused as a result of working with a squad he largely inherited from Erik ten Hag.

However, he will not have the same justification for poor performances this season, after spending big this summer, reports the Manchester Evening News. The Portuguese tactician spent more than £200million on the likes of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens with hopes of fine-tuning his patented 3-4-3 formation and demanding pace of play.

But new acquisitions seemingly haven't provided a remedy for poor form, given that Amorim has managed just one win from his opening four fixtures, as well as an embarrassing exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of Grimsby Town, who play in League Two.

While many fans of the Red Devils will be growing tired of their side's struggles, given just how prolific they were during Sir Alex Ferguson's legendary trophy-laden tenure, the board hasn't given up on their head coach just yet. That's despite rumours that the club have been showing an interest in other managers as of late.

It was suggested that Carrick had been contacted about the possibility of having to replace Amorim in the event of a mid-season sacking, while other rumours claimed that Mourinho was also considered for a return to Old Trafford. However, according to talkSPORT, insiders at the club have firmly denied these two suggestions.

Carrick, who briefly took over as caretaker manager following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's departure in 2021, later spent three years with Middlesbrough in the Championship. He has been without a job since June, after being let go by Boro following a disappointing 10th-place finish in the league.

Mourinho, on the other hand, was in charge of United from May 2016 to December 2018, during which time he won a League Cup, a Community Shield and a Europa League title. Since leaving Old Trafford, he has had stints with Spurs, Roma and Fenerbahce, and was appointed as Benfica's new head coach this week after Bruno Lage was sacked.

Despite the United dressing room largely supporting Amorim, talkSPORT add that senior players like Harry Maguire have reportedly voiced their concerns about the team's underperformance in league and cup competitions this season.

This level of self-criticism within the United camp might be a breath of fresh air for many fans.

United are gearing up to return to Premier League action on Saturday, when they welcome an undefeated Chelsea to Old Trafford. With challenging matches against Liverpool and Brighton also on the horizon in their next five games, it could be a particularly gruelling Autumn for Amorim.

Two Ruben Amorim replacements ruled out as Man Utd stars slam performances - The Mirror