Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has hailed Ruben Amorim as an “excellent manager” and refused to rule out one prediction from coming to fruition.
Ruben Amorim left Portuguese outfit Sporting CP last November and the 40-year-old arrived in the Old Trafford dugout as Manchester United head coach in 2024.
The United manager succeeded Erik ten Hag at the Premier League club after the former Ajax boss was sacked last October amid the Red Devils’ poor campaign.
Amorim made a real name for himself in his native homeland of Portugal and turned Sporting CP into a powerhouse once again in the Primeira Liga.
The former Sporting boss successfully led the club to two Primeira Liga titles and two Taca da Liga trophies before he made his exit from the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed interim manager after Erik ten Hag’s sacking and took charge of the Red Devils for four matches before Amorim arrived at the club.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe makes his position clear on Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim has faced an uphill challenge at Old Trafford in the 2024-25 Premier League season and the Red Devils’ lacklustre form has continued in recent months.
Manchester United languish in 14th place in the Premier League table and the Red Devils’ last hope of securing major silverware this season is in the Europa League.
The Europa League is also United’s best chance of entering the Champions League for next season after a disastrous Premier League campaign.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Sir Jim Ratcliffe threw his full support behind Amorim and highlighted how he has had to deal with an injury-hit United first-team squad.
The 72-year-old Ineos chief added that Red Devils manager Amorim showed what he is capable of producing at United in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.
“If I actually look at the squad which is available to Ruben, I think he is doing a really good job, to be honest,” Ratcliffe said.
“I think Ruben is an outstanding young manager. I really do. He’s an excellent manager and I think he will be there for a long time.
“You are beginning to see a glimpse of what Ruben can produce. I think you saw a glimpse of it against Arsenal.
“How many players against Arsenal on the bench did you recognise? How many have ever worn a Manchester United shirt for [the first team]… as there’s no squad left?
“We are down to the last 10 or 11 men in the squad really, of proper first-team players. Ruben is doing a super job.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe won’t back down from ultimate Man Utd objective
Ratcliffe has argued that it is not “impossible” for United to win the Premier League title by 2028, which would mark the 150th anniversary of the Red Devils’ formation.
“I don’t think it’s mission impossible. I think it’s good to have goals and objectives,” he said.
“If you look at Arsenal, if you look at Liverpool, if you look at the period of time it took them to get the house in order and get back to winning ways, that’s probably slightly on the short end of the spectrum. But it’s not impossible.”
United have not won the Premier League title since the 2012-13 campaign under legendary former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who retired in 2013.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/xnB3Qjd