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Sir Jim Ratcliffe has “no concern” Ruben Amorim’s description of his Manchester United squad as the “worst” in the club’s history will negatively affect the players.
Amorim has endured a tough start to life at Old Trafford since joining from Sporting CP in November to replace Erik ten Hag.
A combination of a squad lacking options in key areas of the 3-4-3 system the Portuguese coach utilises and a continuation of the almost inexplicable mistakes which have plagued first-team performances in recent years have seen United lose six times in 11 games in the Premier League.
Results have been better in cup competitions with the Red Devils producing a spirited performance to beat Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on penalties and positioned fourth in the Europa League group phase – sufficient for automatic qualification for the round of last-sixteen.
However, performances have been marked by a disjointed approach filled with errors.
A manager implementing a new system midway through the season was always going to produce short-term pain, but Amorim will undoubtedly have been surprised by his new team’s ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Following a 3-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Sunday, the 39-year-old coach delivered the explosive assessment of the situation at United.
“In 10 games in the Premier League, we won two. I know that. We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United,” Amorim remarked.
Three days later, in the pre-match press conference for last night’s Europa League victory over Rangers, the head coach expressed regret over his comment, explaining it was more of a reflection of his performances than his players since his appointment.
“I was talking more for myself than my players because I was talking that [I am] a coach who starts out losing seven games in the first [15]. So it’s more for me.”
There had been a feeling that a squad with the mental fragility of this current iteration of United may not react well to being described in such a negative manner. However, these concerns are not shared by the club’s owner – Ratcliffe.
The British billionaire has no issue with the emotive language used by Amorim and has “no concern…[it] will cause the players to lose faith in the head coach and adversely affect performance,” according to Jamie Jackson (The Guardian)
Jackson reveals, “Ratcliffe’s view is that the squad understand Amorim has a fierce desire to win and can be passionate and that his outburst will soon be forgotten.”
United’s performance last night against Rangers – which saw the Reds produce a memorable last-minute win – was spirited with zero signs of a lack of effort, though the same issues with an uncomfortability in possession and defensive lapses continued.
Amorim may have the “worst” selection of players in United’s history, but they are a group still committed to trying to produce what the Portuguese coach wants to see on the pitch.
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