Jim Ratcliffe, the co-owner of Manchester United, has made it clear that Ruben Amorim will be given the full three years of his contract to show what he can do. Despite heavy criticism and poor results since his appointment, Ratcliffe is urging patience, arguing that true progress cannot be expected overnight.
The current situation
When Amorim replaced Erik ten Hag in November 2024, expectations were high. United were looking for stability, a clear identity, and a return to competing at the top level in England and Europe. But so far, the results have been mixed at best. Last season the club finished 15th in the Premier League, their worst top-flight finish since before they were relegated in 1973-74.
In his first season, Amorim managed to reach the Europa League final, but lost to Tottenham Hotspur, and missed out on Champions League qualification. His league campaign was poor with just 10 wins from 34 matches in the Premier League under his leadership.
This season has not brought immediate relief. There have been early exits in cups, inconsistent league performances, and criticism from fans and pundits alike. Some have asked whether Amorim’s time in the job should be shorter, given the stakes at a club like Manchester United.
Ratcliffe’s position and reasoning
Ratcliffe has stepped in to publicly defend Amorim. His message is clear: United must resist the temptation of reacting too quickly. He compares Amorim’s situation to what Mikel Arteta experienced at Arsenal, where early struggles preceded stronger performances in later seasons.
He emphasizes that football doesn’t work on “light switch” changes. Building a successful club structure takes time, especially when there are structural, financial, and squad issues to address.
Ratcliffe admitted that United have made mistakes over recent years and acknowledged that patience is a risk, but he seems convinced it is the correct approach. He also made it clear that the Glazer family, who still hold the majority ownership, would not force a premature exit for Amorim, citing a “good working relationship” and shared goals.
The stakes: what United needs to do
For Amorim to justify this period of grace, several things will have to improve:
- Consistent results in the Premier League. United must move up the table, avoid long runs of poor results, and start stringing wins together.
- Better performance in cups and Europe. Winning or at least competing in cup competitions and returning to Champions League qualification will be essential.
- Squad building. United have invested heavily in the transfer market, spending over £200 million in recent signings. These moves need to deliver, both immediately and over time.
- Financial stability and infrastructure. Ratcliffe wants United to be not just a sporting powerhouse but financially sustainable. This includes reviving the academy system which has slipped in recent years.
Challenges ahead
Even with Ratcliffe’s backing, Amorim faces considerable challenges. The expectations at Manchester United are always enormous, both from supporters and from inside the club. Turning around a team with entrenched problems—on and off the pitch—is rarely straightforward. Some of the main challenges include:
- Adapting a new manager’s methods in a squad that may not have been built for his style.
- Managing media and fan pressure, which is intense at United and tends to escalate when performances dip. Ratcliffe himself expressed concern about “knee-jerk reactions” fuelled by press coverage.
- The financial consequences of underperformance (missed Champions League revenue, etc.), which put extra pressure on transfer budgets and investment.
- Restoring confidence in all parts of the club: players, backroom staff, academy graduates, and the culture more broadly.
Conclusion
Jim Ratcliffe’s declaration that Ruben Amorim will have three years to get it right at Manchester United is a significant statement. It reflects a long-term vision, one that accepts early pain in the hope of building something more stable and successful. But intention is not enough. Antonio Amorim (sic) — sorry, Ruben Amorim — must deliver enough progress in results, in squad development, and in restoring United’s competitiveness to satisfy supporters, raise expectations, and justify the patience.
If he succeeds, the patience will look wise. If not, the margin for forgiveness may shrink fast. Either way, those three years will shape whether this phase of Manchester United returns the club to where it believes it belongs.
