Ruben Amorim’s First Year at Manchester United: Progress and Challenges

Ruben Amorim’s first year at Manchester United has been a turbulent but ultimately promising journey. When Amorim took charge against Ipswich Town a year ago, United was languishing in 14th place in the Premier League, riddled with instability and negative headlines. His tenure has since seen dramatic highs and lows, but there are now genuine signs of progress on and off the pitch.

Manchester United’s Transformation Under Ruben Amorim

Amorim inherited a crisis-ridden United side with low morale, a fractured dressing room, and poor results. Results initially worsened, and by the end of last season, United had dropped to 15th, suffering 18 league defeats—14 of them under Amorim. At two points, their rolling 12-game points-per-match average plummeted to just 0.83, the lowest since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement. Yet Amorim survived intense external pressure, with strong backing from co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who chose patience over a managerial change.

This faith in Amorim is now starting to bear fruit. United currently hold a much-improved league position, sitting higher up the table with 18 points from 11 matches and a positive goal difference. Their rolling points-per-game average has climbed to 1.75, the team’s best since December 2023. Statistical improvements reinforce this narrative: United’s non-penalty expected goals per game have risen from 1.24 last season to 1.48, indicating sharper attacking play and a more robust defense.

Amorim’s Ruthless Squad Overhaul

A defining feature of Amorim’s regime has been his willingness to make tough decisions—crucial for transforming United’s culture. From the squad that played his debut match, five players are already gone. While some, like Jonny Evans and Christian Eriksen, departed for natural reasons, Amorim made high-profile calls on Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, and Andre Onana.

Rashford, who scored the first goal of Amorim’s tenure, was swiftly sidelined due to perceived lapses in commitment—an issue previous managers hesitated to address so firmly. Garnacho, too, was shown the door after repeated disciplinary issues. Amorim’s no-nonsense approach extended to others, like Jadon Sancho and Antony, who were relegated to the so-called ‘bomb squad’. This iron-handed leadership has sent a strong message about professionalism and standards at Old Trafford.

Changing the Dressing Room Culture

Amorim’s cultural reset has gone beyond personnel changes. He’s required players to engage more with fans, signing autographs and taking photos before and after matches at Old Trafford. This gesture, seen as minor by some, has fostered a sense of unity and approachability. Defender Leny Yoro recently praised Amorim’s uncompromising attitude, noting that “bad energy or bad atmosphere” has no place in building something lasting.

Even former colleagues like Manuel Ugarte have not been spared from Amorim’s demanding standards, demonstrating that no player is exempt from accountability.

Late Goals and Growing Resilience

One noticeable improvement under Amorim has been United’s habit of scoring late goals—a sign of increased resilience and belief. In their last four games, United have found the net after the 80th minute, with each goal proving decisive. Harry Maguire’s late header secured a historic win at Anfield, while Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Matthijs de Ligt have also netted crucial late strikes. Collectively, these late goals have earned United six to eight additional points already this season.

Learning From the Past: Moyes and the Importance of Patience

It is fitting that Amorim will mark his first anniversary against Everton’s David Moyes—the first post-Ferguson manager at United. Moyes, despite being the “Chosen One,” was not given time or resources and ultimately lasted just nine months. Many, including Ratcliffe, recognize now that patience can yield better outcomes, provided there is a clear vision.

Unlike Moyes, Amorim has been given time and financial support, even though his win percentage (38.9% in his first 54 games) is the lowest among United managers since the Premier League began. Yet, history reminds us that good starts don’t guarantee long-term success, nor do rocky beginnings doom a manager’s prospects.

Ruben Amorim and United’s Next Steps

The test for Amorim is far from over. United face a favorable run of fixtures in the coming months, devoid of ‘Big Six’ opponents until mid-January. With no European or Carabao Cup distractions, expectations are high for a strong league run. Amorim must now translate incremental improvements into undeniable evidence that United are heading back to the top.

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Opinion: Amorim Deserves Credit—But the Real Test Begins Now

Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Manchester United has been a case study in the importance of patience, conviction, and tough decision-making. The club’s leadership was right to defy the calls for his dismissal and back his vision. However, with the squad and culture now reshaped, it’s time for Amorim to deliver sustained results and reward Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s faith with tangible progress. The coming months will reveal whether United’s gamble truly pays off.