Ruben Amorim, Manchester United’s newly appointed head coach, has wasted no time making his mark on the struggling Premier League giants. In a series of candid comments following United’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday, the Portuguese tactician offered a sobering assessment of the club’s current state, signaling his intent to instill both realism and renewed ambition.
Since replacing Erik ten Hag on November 11, Amorim has overseen a marginal improvement, lifting United from 14th to 13th in the Premier League table. But he remains brutally honest about the scale of the task ahead.
“We are a massive club, but we are not a massive team,” Amorim stated bluntly. “That is very clear. We know it, so there is no problem to say it.”
His remarks come as Manchester United continue to grapple with a turbulent few years marked by managerial instability, inconsistent performances, and a widening gap between the club’s illustrious past and its underwhelming present.
Wednesday’s defeat at the Emirates Stadium served as a stark reminder of United’s current limitations. Arsenal, firmly entrenched in the top-four race, exposed United’s frailties with clinical precision.
Amorim admitted the match was a reality check for his players, highlighting that even though the club’s history is unparalleled in English football, the current team lacks the cohesion and grit necessary to compete with the Premier League’s elite.
“We’re not one of the best teams in the league,” Amorim conceded. “But in our past, our club is maybe the best one in the league. So here we have a problem. We have to focus on the little details, then we will improve as a team.”
This emphasis on details underscores Amorim’s methodical approach, but it also reveals the monumental task he faces. United’s fanbase, accustomed to glory under Sir Alex Ferguson, remains impatient for success.
The coach also highlighted fitness as a key issue. Amorim has endured a grueling schedule, with his team playing 11 matches in just 37 days. In comparison, his former club, Sporting Lisbon, played only seven games in the same period.
Amorim insists that the high workload prevents players from achieving peak fitness and contributing at their best. For United to return to Premier League contention, Amorim believes the team must adopt an uncompromising work ethic.
“If we want to win the Premier League, we have to run like mad dogs,” Amorim declared. “Even with the best starting XI on the planet, without running they will win nothing.”
Amorim’s leadership style is about more than tactics and fitness. He’s also setting cultural standards at the club. After Wednesday’s defeat, striker Marcus Rashford faced criticism for leaving the pitch without acknowledging the traveling United fans. Amorim made it clear that this behavior is unacceptable under his watch.
“We have to do it,” he said. “Especially when we lose. Everyone has to do it. It has to be like that.”
This demand for respect toward supporters underscores Amorim’s desire to rebuild the team’s relationship with its fanbase, which has frayed in recent years.
Amorim also addressed the controversy surrounding Manchester United’s decision not to wear rainbow tracksuits for last weekend’s Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign. Morocco international Noussair Mazraoui declined to wear the tracksuit on religious grounds, leading to a collective decision by the squad to forego the gesture entirely.
Amorim revealed that while he played no role in the decision, he supported the team’s unity in handling the situation. “There are three difficult things to manage,” he explained. On one side, it’s club values. But then you have religion, and it’s our values to respect other opinions. And the third thing is the group. I won’t leave Nous alone; we’re a team.”
This balancing act highlights the complexities of managing a multicultural squad in modern football. Amorim defended the players’ decision, emphasizing the importance of solidarity while reaffirming the club’s commitment to inclusivity.
Amorim’s comments reflect a refreshing dose of honesty at a club often criticized for sugarcoating its challenges. His tenure has begun with clarity of purpose: rebuilding Manchester United into a team worthy of its global stature. But with fitness issues, cultural resets, and a demanding schedule to navigate, the road to redemption will be long and arduous. Whether Amorim’s bold approach will pay off remains to be seen.
