Kieran McKenna returns to Man Utd with point to prove amid Ruben Amorim struggles

Ruben Amorim has already suffered the indignity of admitting one of his predecessors at Manchester United is doing a better job than him.

David Moyes, discarded by United in 2014 after just nine months, came close to piling fresh misery on Amorim at the weekend, but Everton blew a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Goodison Park.

Another manager with a United past, former assistant Kieran McKenna, has the chance to succeed where Moyes failed when he brings his Ipswich side to Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Victory for Ipswich at Old Trafford would heap further pressure on Amorim and put McKenna's side on 20 points – just 10 behind United, who could be dragged into an extraordinary fight for survival.

While United's points cushion over Ipswich should be enough to stave off any real threat of relegation, the mere fact Amorim and his players are so close to the drop zone is an appalling indictment of them and those in charge at Old Trafford.

McKenna will relish the chance to win at United and put one over his former club, where he served as Under-18s head coach and assistant manager to Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and interim boss Ralf Rangnick, before leaving to take over at Ipswich in December 2021.

Securing back-to-back promotions for Ipswich in his first two full seasons, to the Championship and Premier League, saw McKenna approached by United last summer, one of several managers sounded out, when the hierarchy were considering sacking Erik ten Hag.

The fact 38-year-old McKenna, relatively inexperienced and in his first managerial role after years as a coach, was being talked about as a potential United boss is testimony to the impressive job he has done at Ipswich, despite their struggles this season and likely return to the Championship.

Indeed, given how poorly United have fared in the Premier League since Amorim took over – four wins, eight defeats and three draws – it is tempting to wonder if McKenna, who would have cost significantly less in compensation that the former Sporting Lisbon, would have done a better job.

Certainly, McKenna was familiar with the set-up at United, having spent five years there, and had he got the job the players would not have had to adjust to a change in system, as they have done under Amorim, which has proven so problematical for a squad used to playing with a back four.

One of McKenna's great strengths as a manager is his ability to forge a strong bond and understanding with his players, something Amorim was lauded for at Sporting, but which he has found difficult to replicate at United, with some squad members said to have questioned his methods and approach.

While Amorim's CV is certainly more distinguished than McKenna's, he has found the United job an almost impossible task thus far. Defeat to Ipswich on Wednesday, which is entirely possible given United's woeful form there this season, would further undermine faith in the 40-year-old Portuguese boss, despite his impressive rhetoric and past achievements.

McKenna's side certainly were a match for United in Amorim's first game in charge, earning a 1-1 draw at Portman Road after going behind early on. The Ipswich boss will demand the same level of commitment from his players in the return fixture at the Theatre of Dreams, which has been anything but that this season, more a recurring nightmare for United and their fans.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.