Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has revealed just how much dread he felt before matches during the club’s disastrous 2024-25 campaign, but admits he wants to remain at the club for the next few decades.
Speaking to journalists following United on their pre-season tour of the United States, Amorim opened up for the first time about the psychological toll of a season that saw the club slump to 15th place in the Premier League, their lowest finish since 1989-90.
The Portuguese coach replaced Erik ten Hag in November but could not prevent a dreadful run that produced just seven wins from 27 league games, capped by a painful Europa League final defeat to Tottenham in Bilbao.
Reflecting on that period, Amorim explained that the stress often began before a ball was kicked.
“To tell you the truth, it’s not how I returned to my house after the games, it was how I left to go to the games, because I felt that sometimes we will struggle,” he said.
“All the struggles we had in games, I felt it before. That was the hardest part.
“To go to the games and know that we are not going to be competitive – I was really frustrated.”
A shift in mindset
Now, Amorim insists things feel different. He admits that his outlook has become less “romantic” and more pragmatic, but says there are encouraging signs that make him “believe” the team will improve.
During a 25-minute interview at Chicago Fire’s training facility, he discussed his vision for transforming the club, his relationship with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, his long-term ambitions and how he intends to instil a tougher culture.
One frequent criticism of Amorim last season was his reluctance to change tactics despite the poor results. The 39-year-old says he stood firm deliberately.
“Sometimes, when you are losing, you might think let’s change the standards a little bit for them [the players] to be with me,” he said.
“I didn’t – and they saw it. Now they understand when I say something, I will do it.
“I don’t treat the players as babies. But they have rules now and that can change the way you train.
“I’m always on top. If you don’t train in the right way, I have footage to show you. And I show you in front of everybody.”
To reinforce those standards, Amorim has formed a six-man leadership group consisting of Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Tom Heaton, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui.
No regrets
Amorim acknowledged there were difficult moments when he questioned whether leaving Sporting CP mid-season had been the right decision.
But he says the board’s decision to keep him, despite an avalanche of defeats, was reassurance enough.
“Try to remember one team, one big team that lost so many games and the manager kept their job,” he said.
“You will not find it. That shows more than words that they support me.”
While United’s struggles drew intense scrutiny, Amorim says he has known far more serious pressure earlier in life.
“This is not the moment I felt most pressure in my life. I had to finish my career as a player really quickly because of the injuries,” he explained.
“I remember me and my wife had an Excel spreadsheet with all the money that we have and all the things that I need. I want to help my family. I felt the pressure in that time.
“Nowadays, it’s more like an ego thing. I want to be manager of Manchester United for a while.
“I took five years to choose this club. I don’t want to fail.”
When asked how long he hopes to stay at Old Trafford, he replied: “I want to stay 20 [years]. That is my goal. I truly believe in that.”
Direct line to Ratcliffe
Amorim also spoke about his open relationship with minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who publicly praised him in March as “an outstanding young manager.”
“We speak on the phone, he sends me messages, he sends me gifs – [I’m] joking,” Amorim said.
“It’s really easy to deal with Jim. If you know your stuff, how to explain any decision, you’ll be fine.
“I know he’s the owner of the club, I know my place. But when I need to say something, I’m really direct.
“I think it’s something he likes a lot.”
Pre-season training resumes at Carrington on Wednesday. Four players – Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrrell Malacia – will continue to work away from the main group.
“Garnacho is a really talented boy. But sometimes things don’t work out,” Amorim explained.
“You cannot explain specifically what it is. It’s clear he wants a different thing with a different leadership.
“They want new challenges. The market is open. I’m just working with the players that I think are going to stay.”
Looking ahead, the manager has a clear objective.
“I know it’s a massive gap from where we finished – but it’s Manchester United. We need to return to Europe,” he said.
Can United realistically dream of winning the Premier League and Champions League again?
“I have no doubts,” Amorim replied.
“There are some things you cannot buy that this club has: pedigree, history, fans. We have money without the Champions League.
“With all these things, if we have a different culture, we can return to our place.”
Signs of progress
Results in pre-season have offered a glimmer of hope. In a 4-1 victory over Bournemouth, a team that included nine players from the Bilbao final looked sharper and more energetic.
Patrick Dorgu impressed at left wing-back, while Luke Shaw returned to form and fitness. There are even signs of confidence returning for striker Rasmus Hojlund, though United are reportedly open to offers of around £30m for him.
A win over Everton in Atlanta would complete a perfect pre-season tour of the United States, and Amorim believes that both board and supporters are fully behind the direction he is taking.
“If I say it, it’s because I believe it,” he said. “We cannot control the results. But the way we play, the way we perform, the way we connect with the fans, all these small things, we are going to do those no matter what.
“All the credit I had when I arrived was used last year. Now we have to perform.
“If I have the feeling before the game we are going to be competitive, then we’ll be OK.
“I just don’t want to return to that feeling that we are thinking it’s not a 50-50 game.”
