Sir Jim Ratcliffe believes Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim should be given a three-year period to demonstrate his ability at Old Trafford. Amorim, who joined from Sporting, will mark his first year in charge in November, but his time so far has been marked by poor results.
Last season, United finished in 15th place in the Premier League — their lowest position since the 1973–74 campaign, when they were relegated. This came despite heavy investment during the summer, with more than £200 million spent on signings.
This season has also begun poorly. United have suffered three league defeats already and were eliminated from the EFL Cup by League Two side Grimsby Town. Speculation mounted before the recent 2–0 victory against Sunderland that the manager’s position was under threat if the team failed to win.
However, Ratcliffe dismissed the rumors, clarifying on The Business podcast that Amorim was not in immediate danger. He described the Portuguese coach as a “good guy” and insisted success at a club like United requires patience and time.
Ratcliffe dismisses outside criticism
Amorim’s tactical approach has come under scrutiny, with some critics claiming his 3-4-2-1 system will not work in England. Ratcliffe rejected such claims, calling them uninformed.
He argued that media expectations of instant change are unrealistic, saying that some journalists expect results to change “like flicking a switch.” He emphasized that running a club of United’s scale cannot rely on hasty decisions based on weekly commentary.
Ownership dynamics and decision-making
Although Ratcliffe holds a minority stake of just under 30%, he has authority over football operations. The Glazer family, who still control a majority of the shares, maintain their ownership but have handed sporting decisions to Ratcliffe.
He defended the Glazers’ commitment, stating that they are dedicated to the club’s success despite often being portrayed negatively. When asked whether they could order him to remove Amorim, Ratcliffe replied firmly that such a situation would not occur.
Financial restructuring and future plans
In September, United reported that losses had dropped from £113.2 million to £33 million for the year ending June 2025. This followed two redundancy waves, during which more than 400 staff members left, including long-serving employees. Scouting departments were among those most affected.
Ratcliffe faced backlash for cutting costs and removing benefits like free staff lunches. He justified the measures by saying operational expenses were excessive and the club needed to become leaner to thrive.
He drew a direct link between financial strength and on-field performance, stating that greater profitability leads to better squads.
Ratcliffe’s long-term vision
According to Ratcliffe, United achieved record revenues last year and posted their second-highest profits. He expects further financial growth in the coming years.
His ambition is to make United the most profitable football institution globally, believing that consistent economic strength will support a sustainable and competitive team in the long run.
