Ruben Amorim insists he has “no regrets” about taking charge of Manchester United mid-season, though he admits a turbulent spell earlier this year made him reconsider whether he should have waited until summer to begin his tenure.
The Portuguese manager, who replaced Erik ten Hag in November, has faced an uphill battle at Old Trafford, with United sitting 14th in the Premier League—their worst-ever top-flight campaign—and scraping just six league wins under his leadership.
Their only lifeline now is the Europa League, with Amorim guiding the team into Thursday’s semi-final first leg against Athletic Bilbao following a crucial league clash at Bournemouth on Sunday. The Cherries humiliated United 3-0 at Old Trafford in December, a low point in a season plagued by inconsistency.
“Maybe I Should Have Been Stronger” – Amorim Reflects on Tough Start
During initial negotiations, Amorim had expressed a preference to finish the season with Sporting CP—where he won back-to-back league titles—before transitioning to United. Looking back, he acknowledges that the chaotic first few months tested his resolve.
“No regrets, not in this moment,” Amorim stated when asked about his decision. “But if you asked me four months ago, during all the problems, maybe I would have questioned whether I should have pushed harder to delay my arrival until the summer.”
Despite the struggles, he believes the adversity will “help us in the future.”
“We’ve suffered a lot, faced frustration, but now, near the end, I feel this experience will be crucial for the coming years,” he added. “This is the pinnacle for any coach, so I have no regrets at all.”
Fan Support Strong—But Amorim Knows It Won’t Last Without Results
While United’s faithful have largely stood by him, Amorim admits that patience “will run out next season” if performances don’t improve.
“The fans’ backing has been special, but I know it’s conditional,” he said. “Without results, that support will fade. I appreciate it now, but we must deliver.”
January Departures Haunt United’s Struggles
Amorim also addressed the controversial January exits of Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia—decisions that have left United short on attacking firepower.
“Big clubs face unique challenges, and losing players without replacements was a risk,” he admitted. “But sometimes, short-term pain leads to long-term gain. We’re building something bigger than just this season.”
With the Europa League now United’s only hope of salvaging pride, Amorim’s first season in England could define his future at the club—whether as a rebuilding visionary or another failed experiment.
