Manchester United’s co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently made headlines with his claim that three years is a reasonable timescale to judge Ruben Amorim’s performance as head coach. While his words may sound reassuring, the reality is far more complicated, and unless Amorim can turn around the team’s poor form, he won’t survive much longer.
Amorim’s tenure, now approaching its first anniversary, has been far from smooth. Despite Ratcliffe’s public support, the United manager’s results tell a different story. In 50 matches under Amorim, United has achieved a mixed record of 20 wins and 21 losses. His tactical approach, notably the rigid 3-4-3 formation, has come under scrutiny for its lack of consistency and adaptability. Moreover, key decisions, such as selecting a goalkeeper for the opening match of the season, have not helped his cause. André Onana’s early-season struggles led to the inclusion of Altay Bayindir, whose errors contributed to a loss against Arsenal.
Furthermore, the failure to address key gaps in the squad, particularly in midfield, has left United vulnerable. The aging Casemiro has been relied upon too heavily, while the newly signed Manuel Ugarte has failed to establish himself as a reliable option in the center of the park.
Amorim’s struggles have been compounded by the financial pressure at United. Missing out on Champions League football this season, following a defeat in the Europa League final, has cost the club an estimated £100m in lost revenue. This adds more weight to the growing dissatisfaction surrounding the team’s performance.
Despite a summer spend of around £170m, which brought in players like Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, United’s results have been underwhelming. The team has managed just three wins in the league and an embarrassing loss to Grimsby in the Carabao Cup. As a result, fans and pundits alike are questioning whether Amorim is the right man for the job.
While Ratcliffe argues that football success takes time, pointing to Mikel Arteta’s early struggles at Arsenal, it’s clear that Amorim doesn’t have the same cushion of success to fall back on. If United’s form doesn’t improve quickly, it’s likely that the pressure from both fans and the club’s owners will force Ratcliffe to reconsider his stance on Amorim’s future.