Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has reaffirmed his commitment to the club, stating he has “no regrets” about accepting the head coach position, though he admitted to initial doubts about the timing of his mid-season appointment. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, April 25, 2025, ahead of a Premier League clash against Bournemouth, the 40-year-old Portuguese tactician reflected on his challenging start since replacing Erik ten Hag in November 2024.
Amorim, who has won only six of his 17 Premier League matches, faces the prospect of leading United to their lowest league finish since 1990, with the team languishing in 14th place and just one position above the relegation zone as of April 2025. Despite a torrid run, including four home defeats in five games and a 3-0 loss to Bournemouth in December 2024, Amorim remains optimistic. “No regrets,” he declared when asked about taking the United job. “Not in this moment. If you ask me four months ago, with all the problems, maybe you feel that feeling I should be stronger in saying I will start at the beginning of the season. But today, I have the feeling it is something that is going to help us in the future.”
The former Sporting CP manager, who led his previous club to two Primeira Liga titles, initially sought to delay his move to Old Trafford until the summer of 2025 to benefit from a full pre-season. However, United’s “now or never” ultimatum, coupled with a payment exceeding his €10 million release clause, prompted his mid-season transition. Amorim admitted that a rough patch in December, marked by a 3-1 defeat to Brighton, led him to question his decision, with him labeling the squad “probably the worst team in the history” of the club. Yet, reaching the Europa League semifinals and stabilizing results, including a 2-1 win over Manchester City and a 1-0 victory against Fulham, have restored his confidence.
Amorim’s tenure has been defined by bold decisions, such as allowing Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia to depart in January 2025 without immediate replacements, a move he acknowledged cost the team “around ten goals” but was necessary for long-term rebuilding. “We are trying to do something more important. We can hurt the squad now but, in the future, we will be stronger,” he said, emphasizing his 3-4-3 formation and high-pressing philosophy despite the squad’s limitations.
Reports in March 2025 suggested Amorim privately expressed regret to friends, citing shock at the squad’s poor quality and feeling pressured by United’s ultimatum. However, trusted sources like The Athletic and Manchester Evening News dismissed speculation of his imminent exit, affirming INEOS’s commitment to giving him time to implement his vision. His candid communication and tactical clarity, praised by peers like Wolverhampton‘s Vitor Pereira, have earned him fan support, though he warned that this goodwill could wane without results next season.
As United prepare for Bournemouth and a Europa League semifinal against Athletic Bilbao, Amorim remains focused on laying foundations for future success. “This is the top [that] a coach can achieve,” he said, viewing the United job as a pinnacle despite its challenges. With five games left in the 2024-25 Premier League season, avoiding a finish as low as 17th—potentially the club’s worst since relegation in 1974—remains a priority, but Amorim’s sights are set on a broader transformation.
Leave a comment