Ratcliffe: Amorim has three years to deliver at Man United
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has called for patience with manager Ruben Amorim, saying the Portuguese coach should be given at least three years to prove he can make United successful again.
Amorim, who took charge in November 2024 after leaving Sporting CP, has endured a difficult spell at Old Trafford. Man United finished 15th in the Premier League last season, their worst league campaign since 1973/74, when they were relegated from the top flight.
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Despite a £200 million summer transfer spend, the Red Devils have already lost three matches in the Premier League this season and suffered a shock EFL Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby Town.
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However, Ratcliffe, who owns nearly 30% of the club through his INEOS group and oversees all football operations, insists Amorim is not under immediate threat.
Speaking on The Times’ The Business podcast, he said the club must give the 40-year-old time to build a lasting foundation.
“He has not had the best of seasons,” Ratcliffe admitted.
“Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be.”
Amorim’s tactics, particularly his persistence with a 3-4-2-1 formation, have drawn criticism from pundits and fans alike. But Ratcliffe dismissed such commentary, suggesting that many fail to grasp the realities of rebuilding a football powerhouse.
“The press sometimes I don’t understand,” Ratcliffe said.
“They want overnight success. They think it’s a light switch; you flick it and everything changes. You can’t run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week.”
