Sir Jim Ratcliffe Backs Ruben Amorim to Lead Manchester United Project Over Three Years
Manchester United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has confirmed his commitment to giving head coach Ruben Amorim three years to establish himself and deliver progress at Old Trafford.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe pledges long-term support for Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, affirming a three-year plan to restore success at Old Trafford.
The 40-year-old Portuguese manager is nearing his first anniversary since being appointed on November 1 last year. His tenure so far has been turbulent, with United struggling to find consistency in the Premier League. The club finished 15th last season, marking their lowest top-flight placement since 1974, and suffered a shock Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby Town in August.
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Speaking on The Business podcast, produced by The Times and The Sunday Times, Ratcliffe emphasized that Amorim will be given time to implement his philosophy. “Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years,” Ratcliffe said. “Football is not overnight. You also look at Mikel Arteta at Arsenal — he had a miserable time over the first couple of years.”
When asked whether Amorim will get the full three years, Ratcliffe replied, “Yes. That is where I would be. Three years.”
Glazers Give INEOS Control Over Football Operations
Ratcliffe acquired just under 30 percent of Manchester United through his company INEOS in February 2024, taking control of football operations. The Glazer family remains majority owners but has delegated sporting authority to Ratcliffe and his team.
Addressing concerns about potential interference, Ratcliffe dismissed suggestions that the Glazers might pressure him to sack Amorim. “It’s not going to happen,” he stated. “We’re local and they’re the other side of the pond. That’s a long way away to try and manage a football club as big and complex as Manchester United.”
He also defended the Glazers, saying, “They get a bad rap, but they are really nice people and passionate about the club.”
Ratcliffe Defends Restructuring and Cost-Cutting Measures
Since taking charge, Ratcliffe has overseen major restructuring within the club, which included cutting around 450 jobs and removing staff perks such as subsidised lunches. He justified these measures as essential for creating a sustainable financial model.
“The costs were just too high. There are some fantastic people at Manchester United, but there was also a level of mediocrity and it had become bloated,” Ratcliffe explained. “The biggest correlation between results and any external factor is profitability. The more cash you have, the better squad you can build.”
United reported record revenues of £666.5 million last season but still posted a £33 million loss. Ratcliffe expressed confidence that the club’s finances would soon reflect the benefits of his restructuring plan, predicting, “Manchester United will become the most profitable football club in the world, and from that will stem a long-term, sustainable, high level of football.”
Squad Shows Faith in Amorim’s Leadership
Reports from Sky Sports News indicate that Manchester United players remain supportive of Amorim and his approach despite recent challenges. Director of Football Jason Wilcox has spoken with several members of the squad, with most expressing satisfaction with the manager’s methods.
Players such as Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount have publicly voiced their support for Amorim, even as others, including young talents like Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee, await more consistent playing opportunities.
Upcoming Fixtures to Test United’s Resolve
Manchester United face a critical run of fixtures before the next international break, including matches against Liverpool, Brighton, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham Hotspur. The results of these games are expected to shape the immediate narrative around Amorim’s future.
Analysts have described Ratcliffe’s public backing as significant but measured. His comments suggest a long-term vision for United’s recovery, anchored on stability, structure, and the belief that Amorim can evolve into a successful leader with time.
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