Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has revealed he will address fans at Old Trafford following Sunday’s final Premier League fixture, a gesture he believes is the least he can do after what has been the club’s worst-ever campaign in the league era.
With United languishing in the lower reaches of the table and missing out on European football for only the second time in 35 years, Amorim admitted the team’s performance has fallen drastically short of expectations. He confirmed that after the game against Aston Villa, he and the players would complete a lap of appreciation, a tradition he feels is more important than ever given the turbulent season.
“I know that the manager addresses the public. I will do that because it’s the minimum. The least I can do is to talk with the fans and to say what I want to say,” Amorim said. “I will be honest with the fans and I will say what is in my mind and what is in my heart.”
Despite the disappointment, Amorim believes the gesture is necessary to acknowledge the unwavering support of the fans. “It would be the biggest mistake if we don’t do that. If there is a season that we need to do it, it’s this one.”
The Portuguese coach admitted the situation at the club was worse than he initially expected when he took the reins in November. Beyond the visible struggles on the pitch, he pointed to deeper structural problems within the club’s organisation, describing widespread instability and ongoing changes across multiple departments.
“It is really hard. The problems were deeper than I was thinking. I can feel it during training at Carrington and in all our organisation. Everybody is changing; all the departments are changing. In six months we are doing everything, so everything is more difficult.”
Amorim described the pain of watching United’s decline and stressed that he shares in the fans’ frustration. However, he insists there has been progress behind the scenes, even if results have not reflected it yet.
“I suffer like any Mancunian to see all the things, but I think we are making some steps to improve things. You cannot see that because results are so poor, but we are in a better place, I can guarantee you. I am not happier because it’s impossible to be happier. I am suffering like everybody, but I know what we are doing and that gives me positivity and confidence for the future.”
He also expressed gratitude for arriving midway through the season, noting that the harsh experiences of the past six months will help avoid similar pitfalls next season.
“I don’t regret it. In this moment, I’m really glad that I arrived six months before we started the new season. We suffered a lot, but we are going to avoid a lot of mistakes that would have been in the next season. Now we can use all that suffering to change things in the summer – not just the players, there are a lot of things we need to change in our club.”
As the club braces for an emotional farewell to several long-serving players – including Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, and potentially Alejandro Garnacho – Amorim was clear that he will not allow sentiment to dictate his team selection, out of respect for Aston Villa, who are still chasing a Champions League spot.
The manager also conceded that the timing of the club’s post-season tour of Malaysia and Hong Kong is less than ideal, considering the physical and emotional toll of a grueling campaign. Nevertheless, Amorim remains determined to use the coming weeks and the summer ahead to lay stronger foundations for a much-needed revival.
