Ruben Amorim must have been relieved by Manchester United’s minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s latest statement. The Portuguese coach has been under huge mental pressure after Manchester United’s struggles with a poor start in the EPL this season. Even after constant criticism from the media as well as the fans’ demands to sack him from the coach’s post, Amorim’s job was at stake at one point in the season.
The coach will be finishing his first anniversary with Manchester United on 1st November.
Significantly Ratcliffe, while speaking to media has clearly stated that Amorim will be given a period of three years to show his ability and performance, rejecting any notion of “knee-jerk” reactions.
Amorim’s tenure has been challenging, with the team failing to secure back-to-back Premier League victories and finishing 15th last season – their worst top-flight performance since 1974. This season has also seen an early exit from the Carabao Cup at the hands of League Two side Grimsby.
Despite calls for change, Ratcliffe, speaking on The Business podcast, produced by the Times and Sunday Tomes, described the 40-year-old as a “good guy” who needs time.
“He has not had the best of seasons. Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be,” Ratcliffe stated.
He criticised media pressure for instant success, adding: “The press, sometimes I don’t understand. They want overnight success.
“They think it’s a light switch. You know, you flick a switch and it’s all going to be roses tomorrow.
“You can’t run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week.”
Ratcliffe has owned just under 30 percent of United through his chemicals company Ineos since February 2024, taking over control of football operations at the club.
That still left the Glazer family, who have been the subject of numerous fan protests over their handling of the club since taking over in 2005, in overall charge.
Asked what would happen if the Glazers told him to sack Amorim, Ratcliffe said: “It’s not going to happen.”
