Ruben Amorim believes everyone at Manchester United is fighting for their job, accepting he must oversee an upturn in the Red Devils' results soon.

Amorim has failed to make an immediate impact since taking the reins at Old Trafford in November, with United languishing in 13th place in the Premier League.

Having only taken 14 points from 13 league games under Amorim, United are closer to the relegation zone (12 points) than they are to the top four (14).

Meanwhile, following Sunday's 2-0 home loss to Crystal Palace, Amorim has lost five of his seven Premier League games at Old Trafford. 

That is more home defeats than Jose Mourinho suffered in two-and-a-half years as United boss (four in 46 games) and as many as Louis van Gaal recorded in two seasons in charge (5/38).

United spent a total of £21.4million to replace Erik ten Hag with Amorim, but the former Sporting CP boss does not think that will matter if United continue to struggle, telling reporters: "We are fighting for our jobs until the summer. I'm just focusing on these games.

"I knew when I chose this profession that you have the risk of the results. I already knew that when I came here.

"I looked at the schedule, I looked at the team and I understood that my decision of changing everything, taking these hard decisions in the middle of the season – without new signings – is a danger for a coach.

"But since day one, with good results or bad results, I have a clear idea what I want to do and I take these risks because, in the end, I think it is going to pay off.

"I'm not naive. I already said many times that this is a sport of results and we are in a difficult situation."

United were quiet in the mid-season transfer window, only bringing in 20-year-old left-back Patrick Dorgu and 18-year-old centre-back Ayden Heaven while allowing Marcus Rashford, Antony and Tyrell Malacia to leave on loan.

The Red Devils were strongly linked with Mathys Tel – who joined Tottenham on deadline day – and have been criticised for failing to sign a striker, but Amorim says it was his idea to wait until the end of the season.

"The club is taking its time," Amorim said. "We know the urgency of the team, but I think everybody here doesn't want to make the same mistakes we did in the past.

"We have to improve the players that we have, win some games and then, in the summer, we will see. 

"We are being really careful with transfers because we made mistakes in the past. We want a different thing in our team and that is my area, so it was my decision to do that."

Rashford was the most high-profile departure from United, joining Aston Villa in a loan deal, and Amorim – who had repeatedly criticised his attitude – is relieved he will no longer be asked about the forward.

"Thankfully about Marcus, he is in Birmingham now, with Unai [Emery]," he said. "You can take the questions for these months to another coach."