On the afternoon of 18/9, Ratcliffe arrived by helicopter at the Carrington training center to meet with the Portuguese manager, CEO Omar Berrada, and Football Director Jason Wilcox. The meeting sparked rumors about Amorim's future after Man Utd secured only 4 points in their first four Premier League matches and were eliminated from the League Cup by fourth-tier Grimsby Town.
When asked about the meeting, Amorim lightened the tense atmosphere with a joke during a press conference on the afternoon of 19/9. "He offered me a new contract," the 40-year-old manager quipped. "No, it was just a normal meeting to show support. He reiterated that this is a long-term project, and this is only my first full season."
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Manager Ruben Amorim appeared relaxed when asked about his meeting with billionaire Jim Ratcliffe during a press conference on 19/9/2025. Photo: Sky Sports |
Manager Ruben Amorim appeared relaxed when asked about his meeting with billionaire Jim Ratcliffe during a press conference on 19/9/2025. Photo: Sky Sports
According to Amorim, the meeting revolved around the team's current situation, match data, and issues that have persisted since last season. "I met with Omar, Jason, and Sir Jim. It was a normal meeting," he added. "But at this moment, it's attracting more attention. Man Utd is probably the team under the most pressure in the world, and we all want to win."
Amorim believes the team has improved compared to last season but lacks intensity in both penalty areas. He said: "Last year, I wasn't satisfied with the team's style of play. Currently, the team plays well in the build-up phase, but our defending and attacking in the penalty area aren't sharp enough. We need to be more aggressive, we need to take advantage of opportunities better. If we don't score, all the expected goal statistics become meaningless."
Man Utd currently sits in 14th place, just above their worst-ever league finish from the previous season. The 0-3 defeat against Man City last weekend further fueled doubts about the 3-4-2-1 system Amorim has persistently employed. However, he believes the preparations for the upcoming match against Chelsea at Old Trafford will yield better results. "We've had a full week to analyze, adjust, and focus on situations in the penalty area," the Portuguese manager stated. "Chelsea has many players who appear in the box when attacking, so this will be a big challenge."
Man Utd has received some positive news regarding their squad. Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha have returned to training and are ready to play this weekend. However, Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot remain sidelined due to injuries. "We miss Martinez a lot because his intensity makes a big difference," Amorim commented. "But it's important that he's still present, participating in every meeting and watching his teammates train. That's the team spirit we need."
Compiled by Hoang An.
