Ruben Amorim | 2025-26

[Spark]

I've seen people on here argue that United never was a successful club like others and I think that idea is not wrong. Can't remember which member said it or link to a thread, but basically their thinking was:

United only did win significant stuff under Busby and Ferguson and everything went through their hands. There never was a structure in the club that allowed to treat managers as replaceable parts, it is only the manager who brings success.

And because of that the managers are the personification of the club and fans treat them like they treat the club, showing unconditional love to them.

There is no other top club that has a comparable history. Every other similar club stayed successful when replacing key personell. And even if clubs have strong figures leading them to success for a long time they are not alone, there are always other people who share their part of creating success.

The way I see it is that Busby and Ferguson represent 35% of the entire existence of Manchester United. That is an anomaly for any club and one that makes us unique.

We definitely as fans get behind managers more, especially match going fans (I'll ignore Twitter/social media nonsense), but I do not think that our belief in managers at Manchester United is down to our legacy of having the two greatest managers in English football.

It's down to priorities at ownership level. Who knows what our success would have been like had we remained a PLC. However, we do have a best in class marketing and financial operations department thanks to being run by experts in those fields. On the other hand, we have never employed experts in footballing operations, unlike Man City after their second takeover or Liverpool after the Red Sox bought them.

The opinions of fans in regards to managers is irrelevant to the utter shambles of an ownership we have had for the last 20 years. That's where all fault lies.

 

[Gordon'sHill]

There is likely an element of truth to that thinking.

However surely the majority of United fans must realise it's not sustainable or practical to rely on finding the next Ferguson or Busby, and actually, whether we like it or not, if we want to achieve any level of consistent success we do need to become more like other clubs. Sure, it was incredible having one man lead the club and dominate for decades, it adds something special to our history, but it's almost certainly not going to happen again, at least not any time soon.

There is nothing admirable about blindly supporting a manager whilst we're a laughing stock of football, as has been the case for much of the past 12 years. Managers should be treated as disposable until they've proven themselves otherwise, and being given time should be earned, not a perk of the job

Its misleading for two reasons. Firstly the game has changed and the scale of running these clubs is beyond one dominant figure. There will never be another Fergie and I think even Klopp or Pepp, the clubs are too big, the pressure of modern game and pace of change too intense. I think we probably overstate the role of Pep at City, he is really coaching the first team with some input on transfers but with excellent people throughout the club.

its fairly clear now that Fergie did a deal with Glazers, they gave him fairly carte blanche to run football side and he would not make waves about their ownership. By that point his track record meant he good demand what he wanted, but equally that centralisation of power sowed the seeds for our demise as the supporting structure was not there. City are a good example, a team that was as good as United in late 60s and certainly early 70s, then really disappeared and then suffered several relegations. But the new owners came in with perfect blueprint to rebuild a club and put the best structures in place. Liverpool are similar to United in that they had a very dominant period, then were well out of it (though never as bad as we are recently), but with sensible owners and progressively better managers they are back winning major trophies. So no, I dont think there is anything particularly special about our history. A bit like Liverpool and unlike some other top clubs, we continue to win trophies even during the tough periods.

 

[stefan92]

The way I see it is that Busby and Ferguson represent 35% of the entire existence of Manchester United. That is an anomaly for any club and one that makes us unique.

Exactly. But it's not even really about time. Look at the percentage of titles those two have won. That's the real anomaly.

but I do not think that our belief in managers at Manchester United is down to our legacy of having the two greatest managers in English football.

I do. Because the only way to success United fans ever experienced at their club was by having one of the greatest managers ever who spends decades at the club and wins everything.

 

[Raoul]

Ten Hag was sacked 9 games into last season. Do you think that was a mistake?

In hindsight you could say it was given what transpired during the remainder of last season.

 

[Raoul]

Looking at the positive:-

1) We totally dominated Arsenal and should have won the game or at the very least a draw. Arsenal is top of the table currently.

2) We should have comfortably beaten Fulham based on the first half performance.

3) Burnley we were again dominant and should have won by much bigger margin.

3) City game is the only game we were totally outplayed.

4) Chelsea game again we played really well majority of the game. (I know the red card). We should have scored 4-5 goals.

5) Brentford it was average but if Bruno didn't miss the penalty the game could be very different.

6) Sunderland we again missed lots of chances. First clean sheet and Lemmens look great.

Most important of all we could play very entertaining football majority of the time. It was not like previous managers where I almost fell asleep most games. Just have a feeling that once the team clicked and be more consistent we will be very exciting to watch.

Next season we can further upgrade on 2 CMs and LWB.

All true. Although I hope we buy or loan a CM in the winter window given we're perpetually an injury from disaster.

 

[Raoul]

Which is weird because why would you need to replace players who never play anyway?

All of them played for Amorim (including Garnacho and Malacia as well), which is why he elected to get rid of them. They either didn't have the mentality or intensity he was looking for, or else simply weren't ideal for his system. Many of them are good players, but might simply not be suited for what the club are going for at the moment.

 

[Apokalips]

Yes god forbid people be happy if we manage to beat Liverpool away. Keep focusing on all those losses last year after he came in mid season with none of his own players though dude!

Because thats exactly what I said

 

[pocco]

We look a long way off that to be fair.

I wouldn't read too much into the shape on Saturday. Sunderland sat back and then went 5 at the back. It allowed Amad to virtually play as a winger at times. Dalot also to a lesser extent.

We set off with practically a 442 from the get-go. It wasn’t just an adjustment to what they were doing. Either way, it shows that the system is flexible, but I guess people don’t want to have these conversations and want to live in their own bubble.

 

[Ricardo de la Vega]

1. We conceded in the 13th minute against Arsenal and probably 'dominated' because Arsenal were ahead for most of the game. We didn't create a single big chance the whole match, and there's a chance they would have put their feet down and taken back control if we equalized at any point.

2. We were not better than Fulham in that game in any way. We started better than them in the first half, but that was it. You could say they could have beaten us comfortably too based on the rest of the first half and the second half. In fact, they had more big chances than us and finished with a higher xG even though we had a penalty.

3. Burnley, fair enough.

4. City, fair enough.

5. Chelsea, fair enough.

6. Brentford beat us comfortably. It wasn't an average performance, it was a terrible one. Our only argument is that we missed a penalty and they should have had a red card. They missed even more chances to score and we had no momentum the whole game.

7. The only good chance I could remember us missing against Sunderland was the Amad header? We didn't really create many big chances apart from that and the goals, but we played well until their manager switched formation. After that, it was a scrappy game and the second half was even.

So all our results this season have been fair. There's no positives to look beyond our points tally IMO. We haven't been that much better in terms of controlling games too. Our performances so far this season haven't been any different from what we showed to be capable of last season. We have beaten two promoted teams and a team that played the majority of the first half with one less man which weren't problems last season. We'll have a better idea with the upcoming fixture run.

arsenal couldnt touch us in that game it wasnt a question of them being able to "put the foot down" on us or them trying to hold a lead; they just couldnt get control of the game from us. On the other hand, its true - we didnt create big chances. We were better than them by a mile however and whilst we cant say we should have won without making big chances, the loss was not really a fair reflection of the game.

 

[Raoul]

arsenal couldnt touch us in that game it wasnt a question of them being able to "put the foot down" on us or them trying to hold a lead; they just couldnt get control of the game from us. On the other hand, its true - we didnt create big chances. We were better than them by a mile however and whilst we cant say we should have won without making big chances, the loss was not really a fair reflection of the game.

Spot on. We were unlucky to not come away with at least a point from the fixture.

 

[Brazilian_Ronaldo_9]

1. We conceded in the 13th minute against Arsenal and probably 'dominated' because Arsenal were ahead for most of the game. We didn't create a single big chance the whole match, and there's a chance they would have put their feet down and taken back control if we equalized at any point.

Arsenal scored a lucky goal because of our keeper which was undeserved. Which game was you watching? Cunha had 3 chances that I can name top of my head, pretty sure Dorgu hit the post.

Even my Arsenal mates were saying if United played like this every week we would be competing at the top.

 

[Gordon'sHill]

Spot on. We were unlucky to not come away with at least a point from the fixture.

how much time is this thread going to focus on a game we lost? Its unbelievable. Arsenal were poor, but didnt have to do much to win. We gifted them a goal and they say back. End of.

 

[Raoul]

how much time is this thread going to focus on a game we lost? Its unbelievable. Arsenal were poor, but didnt have to do much to win. We gifted them a goal and they say back. End of.

As much as we think is necessary to get the overarching point across.

 

[Gordon'sHill]

Arsenal scored a lucky goal because of our keeper which was undeserved. Which game was you watching? Cunha had 3 chances that I can name top of my head, pretty sure Dorgu hit the post.

Even my Arsenal mates were saying if United played like this every week we would be competing at the top.

This sort of thread on the RAWK forum a few years ago would have had us in stiches, if Liverpool lost a game but were obsessing about how they had 'dominated', just small time attitudes.. Plenty of smash and grabs under Fergie, like when Newcastle battered us for 85 minutes and Cantona scored the only goal. We are now the small time club. Where are the standards?

 

[Blood Mage]

We look solid at home but relegation fodder away from home. Unless the latter changes he's still on course for the sack in November, assuming European football is indeed our aim.

 

[Sarni]

This sort of thread on the RAWK forum a few years ago would have had us in stiches, if Liverpool lost a game but were obsessing about how they had 'dominated', just small time attitudes.. Plenty of smash and grabs under Fergie, like when Newcastle battered us for 85 minutes and Cantona scored the only goal. We are now the small time club. Where are the standards?

A heroic 1-0 loss to Arsenal.

 

[stepic]

Yeah guys, how dare you point out the fact we performed well in a game we lost. If we had actual standards we’d be relentlessly negative about every game we didn’t win no matter how we performed. Sort yourselves out.

 

[erikcred]

Arsenal scored a lucky goal because of our keeper which was undeserved. Which game was you watching? Cunha had 3 chances that I can name top of my head, pretty sure Dorgu hit the post.

Even my Arsenal mates were saying if United played like this every week we would be competing at the top.

Okay.

I have some Arsenal supporting mates who pointed out that if we couldn't beat them when they were yet to gain any sort of form and we'd just had our long proclaimed pre-season under Amorim, there's no way we'd get anywhere near top-4.

 

[Mcking]

arsenal couldnt touch us in that game it wasnt a question of them being able to "put the foot down" on us or them trying to hold a lead; they just couldnt get control of the game from us. On the other hand, its true - we didnt create big chances. We were better than them by a mile however and whilst we cant say we should have won without making big chances, the loss was not really a fair reflection of the game.

Arsenal scored a lucky goal because of our keeper which was undeserved. Which game was you watching? Cunha had 3 chances that I can name top of my head, pretty sure Dorgu hit the post.

Even my Arsenal mates were saying if United played like this every week we would be competing at the top.

Arsenal didn't have to do more than that to win. It was the first game of the season, and they are not a team that keep coming at you in a big game. They likely would have had complete control of that game if it was level, because we are no match for them. Saying we should have won when we created zero big chances is absolute nonsense. A draw would have been fair, but an Arsenal win was fair too.

 

[Raoul]

Yeah guys, how dare you point out the fact we performed well in a game we lost. If we had actual standards we’d be relentlessly negative about every game we didn’t win no matter how we performed. Sort yourselves out.

Being chronically negative is a dark place to be in in because once one embraces it, they are incentivized to secretly hope United fail in the hope they are proven right in their e-arguments.

 

[Mcking]

In hindsight you could say it was given what transpired during the remainder of last season.

It wasn't. If there was any mistake we made, it was also holding on to Amorim, but I understand why we did.

EDIT: And I meant during the season. He absolutely should have been sacked after the UEL final.

 

[Raoul]

It wasn't. If there was any mistake we made, it was also holding on to Amorim, but I understand why we did.

Despite our choppy start, we are ahead of ten Hag's two previous starts at the same points a year and two years ago.

INEOS didn't want ten Hag from the beginning and Ratcliffe has already admitted mistakes were made around that period of time because he didn't want to turn up and sack the manager. He wasn't Ratcliffe or Berrada's guy, whereas Ruben clearly is. Their project is tied to his success, which is why they appear to have doubled down on supporting him.

 

[Ezkay]

Makes sense why Mainoo isn’t really rated by him. Hoof ball, and Ugarte/Casemiro go around kicking people chasing the loose balls.

 

[gaffs]

Looking at the positive:-

1) We totally dominated Arsenal and should have won the game or at the very least a draw. Arsenal is top of the table currently.

2) We should have comfortably beaten Fulham based on the first half performance.

3) Burnley we were again dominant and should have won by much bigger margin.

3) City game is the only game we were totally outplayed.

4) Chelsea game again we played really well majority of the game. (I know the red card). We should have scored 4-5 goals.

5) Brentford it was average but if Bruno didn't miss the penalty the game could be very different.

6) Sunderland we again missed lots of chances. First clean sheet and Lemmens look great.

Most important of all we could play very entertaining football majority of the time. It was not like previous managers where I almost fell asleep most games. Just have a feeling that once the team clicked and be more consistent we will be very exciting to watch.

Next season we can further upgrade on 2 CMs and LWB.

Let's go to Anfield and get results! We goooo for it!

What is the point in this?

"We should have done this". "If only we had done that". "If Bruno scores, this could have happened".

This cuts both ways. Burnley gifted us a pen. Chelsea's keeper got sent off after 3 mins.

You can spin narratives any way you want. For example, we have only beaten newly promoted teams this season, plus a team with 10 men. Which is pretty much what we were doing last season.

Take everything into the mix and we are probably where we should be right now. 10th in the league.

Call me cynical, but i will think we have made real progress when we can beat teams like Brighton, Brentford, Bournemouth and Palace and when we can put together a string of consistent performances.

 

[Spark]

Exactly. But it's not even really about time. Look at the percentage of titles those two have won. That's the real anomaly.

I do. Because the only way to success United fans ever experienced at their club was by having one of the greatest managers ever who spends decades at the club and wins everything.

Right, but what we think of fans has had no bearing on how the club has acted. The hierarchy haven't been incompetent due to the long held belief of the club to always give a manager time, but rather their refusal to prioritise and modernise footballing operations over a 20 year period. How we acted in the past is moot, how all clubs operate today is incredibly different across the board. We have simply not stayed up to date, by design.

 

[macheda14]

Makes sense why Mainoo isn’t really rated by him. Hoof ball, and Ugarte/Casemiro go around kicking people chasing the loose balls.

The hoof ball is a newer tactic from him.

 

[gaffs]

Makes sense why Mainoo isn’t really rated by him. Hoof ball, and Ugarte/Casemiro go around kicking people chasing the loose balls.

I mean, its terrible, isnt it? The vast majority of the time, we are just giving the ball back to Sunderland. We will get punished by a decent team.

I will gave them some grace and say that maybe it is because the manager didn't want to get Lammens caught playing out of the back, but still, we can't be doing this every week.

Very strange how we had some nice goal kick routines on display V Arsenal, plus some great distribution from Altay. They seems to have all gone out of the window.

 

[Raoul]

What is the point in this?

"We should have done this". "If only we had done that". "If Bruno scores, this could have happened".

This cuts both ways. Burnley gifted us a pen. Chelsea's keeper got sent off after 3 mins.

You can spin narratives any way you want. For example, we have only beaten newly promoted teams this season, plus a team with 10 men. Which is pretty much what we were doing last season.

Take everything into the mix and we are probably where we should be right now. 10th in the league.

Call me cynical, but i will think we have made real progress when we can beat teams like Brighton, Brentford, Bournemouth and Palace and when we can put together a string of consistent performances.

To point out the obvious. Football is a game of fine margins where one or two lucky or unlucky breaks can have a massive ripple effect on perceptions of success or failure.

 

[Gordon'sHill]

The hoof ball is a newer tactic from him.

It might have been a more extreme example at the weekend but its always been part of his system. If you can't play through the lines to the 10s or get a wingback in space, you go long, either over the top or to the target man. We struggled on this with Hojlund as he couldn't win a header, and his hold up play was poor, so it did not feature for him. We will see more of this with Sesko. But to those asking why we can't control games or play Mainoo, this is why. Its not part of his system to play via midfielders or have them regularly dropping for the ball. That clip was more reminiscent of DDG in the City cup final...

 

[Bo_devil]

So he's identified that we're just not very good at playing out from the back, and opted to go long, or more direct, granted we do have a target man to aim for now. We won the game, and Lemmens didn't have much to do tbf. So i'll take it!

If anything, would this not show that he's at least trying something a little different?
I remember when all Chelsea did was hit it long to Drogba, they were bloody good at it.

 

[the chameleon]

Makes sense why Mainoo isn’t really rated by him. Hoof ball, and Ugarte/Casemiro go around kicking people chasing the loose balls.

This is why I still am not convinced by Amorim. There's the smugness in interviews thinking he is cleverer than the person about his level of understanding of football, his playing style, we will lose some very good wingers with this narrow style, just an overall boring style. I really just long for a manager who can play wingers, both Cunha and Mbuemo can then play on the wings with Amad, allowing Bruno to play up top and Sesko to play as the striker.

 

[stepic]

This is why I still am not convinced by Amorim. There's the smugness in interviews thinking he is cleverer than the person about his level of understanding of football, his playing style, we will lose some very good wingers with this narrow style, just an overall boring style. I really just long for a manager who can play wingers, both Cunha and Mbuemo can then play on the wings with Amad, allowing Bruno to play up top and Sesko to play as the striker.

Do you think we lacked width against Sunderland? You must have missed all those Amad runs from out wide I guess.

 

[stefan92]

Right, but what we think of fans has had no bearing on how the club has acted. The hierarchy haven't been incompetent due to the long held belief of the club to always give a manager time, but rather their refusal to prioritise and modernise footballing operations over a 20 year period. How we acted in the past is moot, how all clubs operate today is incredibly different across the board. We have simply not stayed up to date, by design.

The question asked wasn't about why he isn't sacked but why fans are supporting him so vocally. You are right of course, but that wasn't what that discussion was about, it really was about the fans.

 

[Spark]

The question asked wasn't about why he isn't sacked but why fans are supporting him so vocally. You are right of course, but that wasn't what that discussion was about, it really was about the fans.

Ohhhh apologies.

I thought you were saying the club is too sentimental towards managers.

In that case, yes absolutely.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

In hindsight you could say it was given what transpired during the remainder of last season.

No, you'd say the subsequent hire was a mistake. Not the sacking.

 

[Raoul]

No, you'd say the subsequent hire was a mistake. Not the sacking.

If that were true he wouldn't be in the job for this long. The simple reality that is Ratcliffe and Berrada support Amorim and want him to continue. That likely wont change unless we are 15th heading into the winter window.

 

[Blood Mage]

Makes sense why Mainoo isn’t really rated by him. Hoof ball, and Ugarte/Casemiro go around kicking people chasing the loose balls.

This is a manager in survival mode playing Brexit ball. Basically the same shit we saw from Ten Hag.

 

[stefan92]

If that were true he wouldn't be in the job for this long. The simple reality that is Ratcliffe and Berrada support Amorim and want him to continue. That likely wont change unless we are 15th heading into the winter window.

And the simpley reality is also that a lot of us consider that a mistake.

 

[Raoul]

And the simpley reality is also that a lot of us consider that a mistake.

That's fine. As long as its debated constructively.

 

[gaffs]

To point out the obvious. Football is a game of fine margins where one or two lucky or unlucky breaks can have have massive ripple effect on perceptions of success or failure.

Sure, but as ever, it is always one sided, to fit the posters narrative.

People will point to all the times we have been "the better team" or "should have won" or "were unlucky", but negate to call out times when the opposition have been better or when they have gifted us an opportunity.

We are roughly were we should be right now - 10th. And have been pretty inconsistent, game to game. All the "shoulda, coulda, woulda's" are irrelevant.