Amorim calls for a sense of urgency, despite Ratcliffe’s support

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said co-owner Jim Ratcliffe’s support will mean little if he fails to turn around the club’s fortunes.

British billionaire Ratcliffe said in an interview last week that Amorim «must show in three years that he is a great coach».

Amorim is approaching a year in the Old Trafford hotseat and is yet to win consecutive Premier League games.

If he were to do that at Anfield against Liverpool on Sunday it would be a big step in the right direction and the Portuguese knows he will be under a lot of pressure until results improve.

“You know, I know and Jim knows that football isn’t like that,” Amorim said at his pre-match press conference on Friday, referring to Ratcliffe’s timetable.

“The most important thing is the next match.”

United finished the season 15th in the Premier League last season – their lowest finish for 51 years – and squandered a chance to qualify for the Champions League when they lost the Europa League final to Tottenham.

They fared little better this season, sitting tenth in the Premier League, having lost three of their first seven league games and crashing out to a shock League Cup defeat to fourth-tier Grimsby.

Yet Amorim has so far retained the support of Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox.

READ ALSO: Amorim will have three years to make amends at Man United, says Ratcliffe

«First of all, I can feel it. It’s not just what people talk about, I feel it every day. Sometimes the pressure I put on the team and on myself is so much more than them,» Amorim said.

«I know it will take a while, but I don’t want to think like that. I also said that last year. I think it also helps our fans to understand that the management understands that it will take a while.»

«But at the same time I don’t like that, because it gives the feeling that we have time to work things out. I don’t want that feeling here in our club.»

«It’s good to feel the support, but we have to prove in football, and especially at big clubs, that we are ready to win games every weekend.»

A 2-0 win over Sunderland before the international break eased the scrutiny on Amorim’s position.

Goalkeeper Senne Lammens made a positive impression on his debut against the Black Cats; sections of the United support even compared him to club great Peter Schmeichel.

United were hampered by numerous goalkeeping errors from both Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir during Amorim’s reign.

«The first impression at this club is very important. Maintaining the level is even more important and very difficult,» said Amorim.

«He’s not a Schmeichel yet. He’s a young guy with talent. He showed a lot of composure and the fans liked it, but that’s in the past and we have to prove it in the next game.»

Published on October 17, 2025