Rúben Amorim says he has withdrawn entirely from social media amid rising abuse | OneFootball

Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim says he has withdrawn entirely from social media to shield himself and his family from what he describes as the increasingly hostile online environment surrounding Premier League football, as reported by BBC Sport.

A BBC investigation published this week found more than 2,000 abusive posts, including racist language, homophobic slurs and threats of violence, rape and death, were directed at managers and players across a single weekend of Premier League and Women’s Super League fixtures in November. Amorim, along with Liverpool’s Arne Slot and Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, was among the most heavily targeted.

“I don’t read it; I protect myself,” said Amorim. “I don’t watch TV when they’re talking about Manchester United. Not because I don’t agree, most of the time I do, but it’s a way of being healthy. My feeling as a coach is enough.”

The analysis, conducted with data science company Signify, found 82% of abusive posts originated on X, formerly Twitter, with the majority coming from accounts in the UK and Republic of Ireland. The volume of abuse is rising, according to researchers.

Amorim acknowledged he forgoes lucrative commercial opportunities by avoiding social platforms but said the trade-off was essential. “It’s not worth some more dollars or pounds. Nobody can be tougher on me than myself when we lose.”

United, who finished 15th last season before losing the Europa League final, sit seventh ahead of Thursday’s meeting with West Ham. Amorim confirmed Matheus Cunha will return from a head injury but said Harry Maguire and Benjamin Šeško remain sidelined, with concerns also emerging over two unnamed players.

Cunha, who has one goal in 15 appearances since his £62.5m move, “has more levels to go,” Amorim added.

GFN | Finn Entwistle