Manchester United finished 15th last season and are not in Europe this term, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe has talked about giving Ruben Amorim a three-year reprieve, comparing him to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, a comparison that is frankly ridiculous.
A football enthusiast who spends much of his life on the highway, watching games all over the country. Passionate about soccer, work and mirrors. I have always believed that the Premier League is the best in the world and that England have a chance. Author of Arsene Wenger: The Inside Story of Arsenal Under Wenger.
On the other hand, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s loyalty must be admired. On the other hand, you have to question his blind faith in giving Ruben Amorim three years to turn things around at Manchester United.
But, to be honest, what was far more puzzling was the comparison of how long it took Sir Alex Ferguson, and even Mikel Arteta, to turn things around.
It took Fergie perhaps five years to get things right at Old Trafford and turn the club into one of England’s best and one of the most successful in world football. But that was in the 1980s and 1990s. It is foolish to try to compare then and now. We live in completely different times. The title of “the most profitable club in the world” has long been a topic of debate.
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He later admitted in an interview with The Times that he had drawn comparisons between Amorim’s time at United and Arteta’s start to his reign at the Emirates. “If you look at Arteta at Arsenal, he had a terrible first few years,” he said.
What is overlooked is that Arteta took over in December 2019 and won the FA Cup in 2020, winning a trophy in his first season, which changed things completely.
Now, Amorim squandered that chance in the Europa League final last May, so how can you compare the two? Answer: No. On many levels. And the reality is that even the FA Cup may not have been able to save Arteta next season. But in the Corona era, that was probably the case.
Arsenal, like the rest of football, have been playing in front of mostly empty stadiums during the pandemic, which may have helped Arteta when they lost 1-0 at home to Burnley. Their home condition was terrible. they were confused. Results were very poor and they were toying with a relegation scrap. Edu, who was Arsenal’s director of football at the time, even gave Arteta a formidable vote of confidence.
The following year wasn’t much better either. But it was better. Still, they went on a rampage and missed out on Champions League qualification. However, Arteta still had the right to the FA Cup.
He was committed to that until the 2022-23 season, when the team is unlikely to be title challengers, with the support of a very supportive board and significant funds spent in the transfer window.
Currently, Arsenal fans are still a bit divided in their opinion of him. In the eyes of some fans, he has to deliver a big trophy this season. The club supports him 100%.
But the point is that comparisons to Arteta don’t really make sense. United fans have been very supportive of Amorim. They chant his name and persevere. Recently it has been tested.
Ratcliffe and United also spent big to back him on the market. They acquired an entirely new front line in Benjamin Sesco, Brian Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha to fit into his unbreakable system. It is a kind of expression of faith.
I’m really impressed. But you can’t compare like with like. It doesn’t necessarily add up. One United fan said to me: “We’re nowhere near the level of Arsenal or Liverpool of the first five years.”
Amorim, like Arteta, is young and inexperienced but lacks flexibility. He talks a lot, but the players clearly don’t understand or understand his tactics and vision.
United are also a monster of a football club. No one can endure this melodrama for three years.
I really thought United would be fighting for the top four this season. They spent a lot of money and had some obvious flaws (midfield to start with), but they’re a decent team.
However, they significantly underperform. I don’t know much about Amorim anymore. And the idea that you could give him three years to get it right…well, I don’t think anyone would wear that. Except perhaps Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
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