Ruben Amorim has admitted that he had moments of doubt about his future at Manchester United during his first year in charge. As he marks his one-year anniversary since being appointed as Erik ten Hag's successor on November 1, 2024, the Portuguese manager reflected on the challenges and lessons learned during his tenure.
"It was a journey, a big journey," Amorim said, describing his first 12 months as "tough, really tough, good moments and bad moments". He acknowledged the difficulties he faced, admitting that there were times when he doubted he would even make it to the one-year mark. Despite the struggles, Amorim emphasized the importance of staying true to his beliefs, even in the face of adversity.
Amorim's first season at Old Trafford was undeniably challenging. The team finished a disappointing 15th in the Premier League and suffered a defeat in the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur. However, the club showed faith in Amorim by backing him in the summer transfer window. He also stated that the Europa League final defeat by Tottenham was among the moments that made him fear for his job.
Manchester United invested in attacking reinforcements, bringing in Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens also arrived to strengthen the squad. Interestingly, Amorim revealed that none of these players were on his initial wish list. He had hoped to bring in a trio of players from his former club, Sporting CP, including central defender Goncalo Inacio.
Despite the initial setbacks and challenges in the transfer market, Amorim's Manchester United has recently found some positive momentum. The team has won their past three Premier League matches against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton. This run of form has propelled them into the top six for the first time since April 2024 and has earned Amorim a nomination for the Premier League Manager of the Month award. They are currently preparing for a Saturday afternoon match against Nottingham Forest.
Amorim also addressed comments made by Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche, who had previously claimed he could win more games with United's squad playing a 4-4-2 formation. Amorim shrugged off the criticism, stating that he has a specific way of playing that will take time to implement but will ultimately lead to better results in the future.
Looking ahead, Amorim emphasized the importance of continuing to win games and maintaining the positive atmosphere within the team. He acknowledged that there is still much work to be done but expressed confidence in his players' hunger for success. Lisandro Martínez, who has been sidelined with a knee injury since February, has returned to full training, providing a further boost to the squad.
As Ruben Amorim reaches his one-year anniversary at Manchester United, he remains determined to turn the club's fortunes around. Despite the early doubts and challenges, he has shown resilience and a commitment to his vision. With recent signs of improvement and the backing of the club, Amorim hopes to build a successful future at Old Trafford.
