'Football is not like that' - Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim plays down 'three-year' commitment of Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Published 17/10/2025 at 20:04 GMT+1
Ruben Amorim said it is "good to feel the support" after Sir Jim Ratcliffe said the Manchester United manager should be given three years to prove himself, but said he "doesn't want to think like that". The Portuguese is under growing pressure at United after a difficult first year in charge, but has suggested the co-owner's comments create a lack of urgency in their desire to turn things around.
Amorim reveals extent of Ratcliffe backing ahead of Liverpool clash
Video credit: SNTV
Ruben Amorim is grateful for the backing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe but said "football is not like that" after the Manchester United co-owner said he would give the manager three years to prove himself.
Amorim has had a difficult first year at United, with his side finishing 15th in the Premier League last season and winning just 10 of their 34 games - while not yet winning two matches in a row - in the top flight since his appointment last November.
Speaking to The Times at the start of the latest international break, with United sitting in 10th place after seven league games this season, Ratcliffe said Amorim should be given the full length of his three-year contract to turn things around.
Despite his appreciation for the "support", the Portuguese manager suggested this would not be the case and feels the message creates a lack of urgency in the hunt for results.
Discussing Ratcliffe’s comments ahead of United’s visit to their great rivals Liverpool on Sunday, Amorim said: "He tells me all the time, sometimes with a message after games. But you know, I know, and Jim knows, that football is not like that.
"It is really good to hear that. I think it helps our fans understand that the leadership knows it will take a while.
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Amorim identifies 'big frustration' after Man United beat Sunderland
Video credit: SNTV
"But, at the same moment, I don't like that because it will give a feeling like we have time to work things out, so I don't want that feeling in our club.
"It's good to feel the support, but we need to show people we are ready to win games. I know it is going to take a while, but I don't want to think like that."
Despite their mixed start to the season, a win at Anfield would take United within just two points of the reigning champions, who have lost their last three games in all competitions.
Amorim’s side, who beat Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford before the international break, will perhaps look to draw on memories of their creditable 2-2 draw when the sides met on Merseyside last season.
It was one of a number of promising results against bigger teams under Amorim, with United also taking four points off Manchester City last season and knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup.
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But Amorim believes United's struggles in recreating these performances against lesser opposition could indicate problems in their mentality.
"Maybe the expectations, when you have to win and the responsibility of winning, it is so much harder," he said.
"When you play in big clubs, you need to win every game. We have difficulties sometimes to play with that responsibility.
"Maybe when Manchester United are not expected to win, it is easier for the players to perform but we need to change that."
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