Amorim: ‘I can’t rely on three years at Manchester United’

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has downplayed suggestions that he has a guaranteed three-year window to transform the club, insisting that football offers no such certainty, not even from one day to the next.

The Portuguese tactician was responding to recent comments by club co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who told The Times that it could take Amorim up to three years to make a measurable impact at Old Trafford.

The statement, meant to project patience and confidence, came amid growing criticism of United’s inconsistent form under the 40-year-old.

‘Football doesn’t work that way’

Speaking ahead of United’s 100th clash with Liverpool at Anfield, Amorim appreciated Ratcliffe’s public backing but cautioned that long-term assurances mean little in football’s volatile environment.

“It is really good to hear it, but he tells me all the time, sometimes with a message after games,” Amorim said. “But you know, I know and Jim knows that football is not like that.

“The most important thing is the next game. Even with owners, you cannot control the next day in football.”

Performance struggles raise doubts

Since joining United from Sporting Lisbon last November, Amorim’s tenure has been rocky. Under his leadership, the Red Devils have managed just 10 wins in 34 Premier League matches and have yet to record back-to-back league victories this season.

The club have also failed to climb higher than ninth place in the table, a statistic that has amplified discontent among supporters.

Club chief executive Omar Berrada has conceded that Amorim’s transition to the Premier League has taken longer than expected, describing the adaptation process as “more challenging than anyone imagined.”

Still, Amorim maintains that internal pressure remains high despite Ratcliffe’s attempts to instill calm.

“It’s really good because it helps fans understand the leadership knows it will take time,” he said. “But at the same moment, I don’t like it because it gives a feeling that we have time to work things out.

“I don’t want that feeling in our club. In football, especially in big clubs, you must prove yourself every weekend.”

United visit Liverpool next, with the hope to settle the atmosphere around him.