Manchester, England – Reflecting on his first year at Manchester United, Ruben Amorim admitted that he nearly quit the club during a particularly challenging period. Amorim's tenure, which began on November 1, 2024, replacing Erik ten Hag, has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows.
The Portuguese manager confessed that the difficulties he faced in the initial months made him question his decision to take the job. After a dismal 3-1 home defeat to Brighton in January, which was part of a run that saw only one win in eight league games, Amorim felt deeply disillusioned. Sources indicate that he was prepared to resign, but was persuaded to stay by close associates and key figures within the club.
"I had some moments that I struggled a lot, and I was thinking that maybe it's not meant to be," Amorim said. "There were some moments that were tough to deal with. To lose so many games, that was so hard for me because this is Manchester United".
The reassurance from CEO Omar Berrada and part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who publicly backed Amorim, played a crucial role in his decision to remain at Old Trafford. Ratcliffe's description of Amorim as "an outstanding young manager" provided a timely boost amidst the turmoil.
Amorim's initial struggles were attributed to several factors, including adapting to a new league, implementing his tactical approach, and dealing with a series of injuries within the squad. He also faced scrutiny regarding his preferred 3-4-3 formation, with some critics suggesting a more pragmatic approach.
Despite the early setbacks, Amorim remained committed to his vision. "During my career as a manager, most of the time I was winning," Amorim told MUTV. "When you are winning, you can say that you have convictions and you are loyal to your ideas, but you learn when you lose, when you are under pressure and I learned that when I'm under pressure, I'm stronger on my ideas and I keep with my ideas".
Manchester United have recently displayed an upward trend, winning their past three Premier League matches against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton. This positive run has propelled them into the top six for the first time since April 2024 and earned Amorim a nomination for the Premier League's Manager of the Month award.
Looking ahead, Amorim acknowledged the need for continued improvement and stressed the importance of maintaining momentum. He also addressed potential squad changes in the upcoming January transfer window, hinting at possible departures and new acquisitions.
"A lot of things can happen," he said. "Even in our club, and you know that we have the World Cup, some players are not playing, they will ask to leave, so I have to manage everything. And then we want to bring players [in], everyone here, we want to bring players that we can see a big future in Manchester United".
Now, a year on from his appointment, Amorim reflects positively on his decision to join Manchester United. "Today is the opposite," he stated. "Today I feel that, and I know that, that was the best decision in my life, and I want to be here". As Manchester United prepare to face Nottingham Forest, Amorim will be hoping to celebrate his one-year anniversary with a fourth consecutive league win.
