Manchester United boss focused on results as Anfield test looms
Ruben Amorim has welcomed backing from Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe but insists that promises of long-term support mean little if results do not improve on the pitch.
Ratcliffe said during the international break that Amorim would be given “three years” to rebuild the team, despite a mixed start to his first full season in charge.
But in his press conference before Sunday’s trip to Liverpool, the Portuguese coach said that time in football is earned, not guaranteed.
“He tells me all the time, sometimes with a message after games,” Amorim said. “But you know, I know and Jim knows that football is not like that.
“The most important thing is the next game. You cannot control, even [the] owners, you cannot control the next day in football.
“So I know that, but it’s really good to hear that, also because of the noise, but Omar [Berrada, chief executive] and Jason [Wilcox, director of football] tell me that all the time.”
United sit 10th in the Premier League after losing three games and winning three, with one draw.
This is not significantly poorer than that of other rivals for the European places, but their performance during games has also been deeply concerning and, in the broader picture, Amorim is yet to secure back-to-back league wins and has only managed 37 points in his first 34 league games.
His side also suffered an ignominious Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Grimsby in August.
Despite that, the Portuguese manager has received consistent support from Ratcliffe and senior figures Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox, who have publicly backed the club’s long-term project.
Amorim said he understands the pressure.
“Sometimes the pressure that I put on the team or on myself is so much bigger than them,” said United’s head coach.
“I know that it’s going to take a while, but I don’t want to think like that because it will give a feeling that we have time to work things out. So I don’t want that feeling here in our club.”
