I became scared when I watched other teams as he feared the Red Devils would suffer
After a few months in England, Ruben Amorim confesses to have been scared what might become of his team after watching other teams play.
Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim says after travelling to watch games last season, he feared how much suffering were his team going to go through.
In interviews with journalist en-route with the Red Devils on their pre-season tour of the United States, the United boss disclosed the nightmare experienced while leading the club’s worst-ever season since 1973-74 when Manchester United were relegated from the Premier League.
Amorim, who came in as Erik ten Hag’s successor in November 2024, led United to seven victories from 27 league games and a devastating Europa League final defeat in the hands of North London club, Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao, Spain.
I Became Scared When I Watched Other Teams
Last season, United managed to end the season in 15th place, their lowest since the 1989-90 campaign.
When asked by the reporters on how he felt during end-season after continual defeats─at a time, his United’s side lost four consecutive games and eventually won three times in 11 matches─Amorim noted that it became most stressful was preparations heading into the games.
“To tell you the truth, it’s not how I returned to my house after the games, it was how I left to go to the games, because I felt that sometimes we will struggle,” he said.
“All the struggles we had in games, I felt it before. That was the hardest part.
“To go to the games and know that we are not going to be competitive─I was really frustrated.”
However, Amorim reveals that such a feeling does exist no more. He says he has a less “romantic” view of his job but also perceives positives which build trust in him that ‘there is light after the tunnel.’
Despite Amorim’s dream to remain Manchester United’s head coach for twenty years, many cease to agree to his dream, but instead, question his approach and readings of the game.
During the last campaign, the United’s boss was repeatedly questioned for his inability to tweak his tactical approach.
“Sometimes, when you are losing, you might think let’s change the standards a little bit for them [the players] to be with me,” he said.
I Became Scared When I Watched Other Teams
“I didn’t – and they saw it. Now they understand when I say something, I will do it.
“I don’t treat the players as babies. But they have rules now and that can change the way you train.
“I’m always on top. If you don’t train in the right way, I have footage to show you. And I show you in front of everybody.”
Amorim, exploring another tactical approach to the game, he has appointed a team of six players─Bruno Fernandes. Harry Maguire, Tom Heaton, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez and Noussair Mazraoui─to embrace instill standards in the dressing room and deal with “small issues.”
Uneasy To Come This Far
Ruben Amorim has just conceded that there were periods during the last season when he compromised and wondered if he had been doing the right things swapping Portuguese club Sporting, where he had built own reputation and been described as “hero”─mid-season.
He was not looking to be accepted by anyone. Still having job vindicates him.
“Try to remember one team, one big team that lost so many games and the manager kept their job,” he said.
“You will not find it. That shows more than words that they support me.”
On Working Under Pressure
Amorim said stated last season that he was not paying attention to any pressure on his position, instead focusing on the team and what he could do to improve the performance of his team.
“This is not the moment I felt most pressure in my life. I had to finish my career as a player really quickly because of the injuries,” he said.
“I remember me and my wife had an Excel spreadsheet with all the money that we have and all the things that I need. I want to help my family. I felt the pressure in that time.
I Became Scared When I Watched Other Teams
“Nowadays, it’s more like an ego thing. I want to be manager of Manchester United for a while.
“I took five years to choose this club. I don’t want to fail.”
When asked how long he would love to be at Manchester United, Amorim replied: “I want to stay 20 [years]. That is my goal. I truly believe in that.”
On Relationship With Ratcliffe
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, in an interview with BBC in March, that Amorim was doing “a superb job”, calling him “an understanding young man”.
“We speak on the phone, he sends me messages, he sends me gifs─[I’m] joking,” Amorim said.
“It’s really easy to deal with Jim. If you know your stuff, how to explain any decision, you’ll be fine.
“I know he’s the owner of the club, I know my place. But when I need to say something, I’m really direct.
“I think it’s something he likes a lot.”
On Club And Aspiration For Next Season
Ahead of the team’s return to Carrington on Wednesday, the surplus-to-requirement quartet, comprising Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrrell Malacia will continue to train at different times to the main squad.
“Garnacho is a really talented boy. But sometimes things don’t work out,” Amorim explained.
“You cannot explain specifically what it is. It’s clear he wants a different thing with a different leadership.
“They want new challenges. The market is open. I’m just working with the players that I think are going to stay.”
I Became Scared When I Watched Other Teams
Target For Next Season Is Simple
“I know it’s a massive gap from where we finished – but it’s Manchester United. We need to return to Europe,” he said.
“And beyond that? Can United win the Premier League and Champions League again? “I have no doubts,” Amorim said.
“There are some things you cannot buy that this club has: pedigree, history, fans. We have money without the Champions League.
“With all these things, if we have a different culture, we can return to our place.”
How Good Is United Pre-Season
It is still early to justify United’s pre-season tour, but there signs that Amorim’s tactics are beginning to be effectual.
On Wednesday, with the first team squad nine of the full team that performed woefully in Bilbao, the Red Devils played more effective, rejuvenated, and somewhat, entertaining in their 4-1 victory over Bournemouth.
Win over Everton in Atlanta in their next pre-season game will send United home with perfect record from their three pre-season games on American soil.
“If I say it, it’s because I believe it,” he said. “We cannot control the results. But the way we play, the way we perform, the way we connect with the fans, all these small things, we are going to do those no matter what.
“All the credit I had when I arrived was used last year. Now we have to perform.
I Became Scared When I Watched Other Teams
“If I have the feeling before the game we are going to be competitive, then we’ll be OK.
“I just don’t want to return to that feeling that we are thinking it’s not a 50-50 game.”