Ruben Amorim admitted it would be “crazy” to expect Manchester United to clinch the Premier League next season. The Portuguese manager, tasked with ending a 12-year title drought at Old Trafford, faces an uphill battle as his side languishes 13th in the table. With a clash against neighbours Manchester City looming and United 36 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool, Amorim remains realistic about the challenge.
“We are doing a lot of things, putting some standards, sometimes we change players so they have to adjust to our new standards,” he explained at a news conference. “I know it is difficult to do that in just one year. I am not saying we are going to win the title next year, I am not crazy. We are suffering a lot to be, next year, a lot better and that is our goal.”
United have set their sights on the 2027-28 campaign, the club’s 150th anniversary season as the target for ending their title wait, giving them a three-year timeline. Yet, Amorim is determined not to accept a prolonged rebuilding period. “I know that we are not going to be the biggest contender in the next year or two years,” he acknowledged. “I know we need to do a lot of things. We are in a rush. What I don’t want to think is that we need a lot of years to be competitive, I cannot think like that. It is not in me.”
Facing competition from Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal, Amorim is focused on leveraging United’s existing strengths while recruiting top-tier talent. He hinted at ambitions to bring in “one or two players, big players” to fast-track progress. Amid transfer speculation, he expressed hope over midfielder Kobbie Mainoo’s return from a two-month absence, though defender Matthijs de Ligt remains a doubt after an injury against Nottingham Forest.
“We have to assess,” Amorim said regarding de Ligt’s fitness, underscoring the meticulous nature of his rebuilding strategy. With no shortcuts allowed, the coach insists on an immediate and significant improvement if United are to catch up with Europe’s elite.
