Ruben Amorim has admitted that both he and his squad are underperforming following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s scathing assessment of Manchester United’s current state. The INEOS chief, who took control of football operations at Old Trafford a year ago, has seen little return on his investment in a turbulent first season.
Ratcliffe recently stated that persisting with Erik ten Hag was a mistake and suggested that the squad is not well-suited to Amorim’s 3-4-3 system. In a candid interview, he highlighted recruitment missteps, saying, “Some are not good enough and some probably are overpaid, but for us to mold the squad that we are fully responsible for will take time.”
The United co-owner also pointed to signings such as Antony, Casemiro, André Onana, Rasmus Højlund, and Jadon Sancho as inherited issues. However, he made it clear that Bruno Fernandes remains a key figure in the team, describing him as “a fantastic footballer.”
Despite the criticism, Amorim remains composed ahead of United’s crucial Europa League tie against Real Sociedad, which is delicately poised at 1-1. The Portuguese manager acknowledged that his squad has fallen short this season but remains hopeful for improvement.
“If we are being honest, myself and all the players are underperforming,” Amorim said. “We can always change that, and I include myself in that assessment. Players like Casemiro, who have won everything, can play so much better.”
Amorim also downplayed any concerns about his relationship with Ratcliffe, insisting that their discussions have been open and constructive. He described their interactions as “really blunt and honest,” reinforcing his belief that the co-owner’s public support was a positive sign.
“The board has always supported me, especially Sir Jim,” he continued. “We’ve had these conversations privately before. To hear it publicly is good for a coach, but ultimately, we need results and we need to improve the team.”
With a crucial run of fixtures ahead, Amorim will be under pressure to turn United’s fortunes around and justify the backing he has received from the club’s new leadership.