-Amorim Lays Down Ruthless Foundation for Manchester United RebuildAs Manchester United prepare for their upcoming pre-season tour of Asia, new manager Rúben Amorim has issued a stark warning: the path to recovery will not be easy.
Following the club’s worst-ever Premier League finish in over three decades—15th place with 18 defeats and no European qualification—Amorim is preparing for a tough and uncompromising rebuild.
Appointed in November 2024 to replace Erik ten Hag, Amorim inherited a disjointed squad that struggled to adapt to his preferred 3-4-3 formation. Injuries to key players such as Lisandro Martínez, Amad Diallo, and Diogo Dalot further derailed the season, which ended with a 1–0 defeat to Tottenham in the Europa League final.Amorim hasn’t held back in his assessment.
Following a 3–1 loss to Brighton, he described the squad as “maybe the worst team in the club’s history”—a statement he later clarified as a critique of his own impact.
Regardless, his core message remains unchanged: progress will require resilience, discipline, and a shared willingness to endure difficult moments.He has already demonstrated his strict approach, notably dropping Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the Manchester derby due to poor training performances. Under Amorim, no player is guaranteed a place.
This summer’s training sessions at Carrington will be critical.
Amorim’s system, which brought success at Sporting CP, demands high intensity, tactical intelligence, and physical endurance. United’s current squad has lacked creativity—down to 9.5 chances per 90 minutes compared to 11.7 under Ten Hag—and has remained defensively fragile, with André Onana frequently exposed due to slow centre-backs and lapses in distribution.
To reshape the squad, Amorim is targeting one or two marquee signings, including Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. Departures are likely, with the futures of Rashford, Casemiro, and possibly Garnacho in doubt. He also plans to promote youth, with Kobbie Mainoo potentially playing in a more advanced role and academy players Sekou Koné and Godwill Kukonki expected to get opportunities.With a reduced fixture list next season (around 40 to 50 games), Amorim intends to focus on instilling discipline, physical strength, and set-piece organization.
His direct leadership style has divided opinion—some players felt his Brighton comments were too severe—but former staff at Sporting say his honesty fosters loyalty and team unity.
Amorim’s compassionate side is also evident. He reportedly bought tickets for backroom staff to attend the Europa League final and has maintained strong relationships with fans.
Upcoming friendlies in Malaysia, the United States, and other parts of Asia will serve as early tests of the team’s adaptation to Amorim’s methods. However, concerns remain over the fitness of new signings Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro.With fan frustration mounting, Amorim is fully aware of the pressure he faces.
Yet he remains resolute in his approach. His philosophy—built on honesty, accountability, and collective sacrifice—may prove transformative or overly demanding for a squad still recovering from a dismal season.
One thing is certain: Amorim is determined to forge a new identity for Manchester United, even if it means enduring short-term hardship for long-term gain.-
