Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is under huge pressure at Old Trafford and Sir Jim Ratcliffe points to Mikel Arteta as a reference point, although both performances in his nightmare first year are far from good enough.
Ruben Amorim will be given time to prove he is suitable for Manchester United, according to owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Amorim is under pressure after a nightmare first year at Old Trafford. The Portuguese replaced Erik ten Hag around 12 months ago but could only help United finish 15th in the Premier League last season. This was their lowest result in half a century and they lost to Spurs in the Europa League final, meaning they missed out on qualifying for Europe for the second time in 35 years.
Mr Amorim has publicly tendered his resignation twice during his tenure, and will do so if Mr Ratcliffe and the club’s senior management feel it is in the best interest of the club to do so. However, United chairman Ratcliffe, who has complete control over the club’s football operations, insists Amorim, a “good man”, should be evaluated over the three years of his contract, rather than his first year.
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“He hasn’t had the best season,” Ratcliffe said. “Amorim is a good guy. I think Ruben needs three years to prove that he is a great coach.”
“I plan on being there for three years because football doesn’t happen overnight.
“Look at Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. He had a miserable first few years.”
Amorim led United to a 2-0 win over Sunderland at the weekend, going into the international break in 10th place in the Premier League.
However, he has amassed just 37 points out of a potential 102 as manager, and has been widely criticized for stubbornly refusing to change his preferred 3-4-3 formation.
Asked if and what would happen if the Glazer family, the club’s majority owners, would order Amorim to be sacked, Ratcliffe insisted: “I don’t think that will happen.”
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