Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has thrown his support behind embattled manager Ruben Amorim, insisting he will not rush to make changes despite the club’s ongoing struggles.
Amorim, appointed in November 2024, has faced constant speculation over his job after a disastrous debut campaign saw United finish 15th in the Premier League their lowest position since 1974 and lose the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
This season has offered little improvement. United sit 10th after losing three of their first seven league matches and suffering a shock League Cup exit to fourth-tier Grimsby Town.
The Portuguese coach has yet to register back-to-back league wins, with a daunting trip to Liverpool awaiting after the international break.
Speaking on The Business Podcast by The Times and The Sunday Times, Ratcliffe said Amorim would be given three years to prove himself.
“He has not had the best of seasons. Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be,” Ratcliffe said.
“The press wants overnight success. They think it’s a light switch you flick it and it’s all roses tomorrow. You can’t run Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions.”
Ratcliffe, who owns just under 30 percent of United and controls football operations, also ruled out the possibility of being overruled by the Glazer family, who remain majority shareholders.
“If the Glazers told me to sack Ruben, it’s not going to happen,” he stated. “They’re nice people, very passionate about the club but we’re the ones with feet on the ground.”
The INEOS chief also defended recent cost-cutting measures that resulted in around 450 job losses and the scrapping of staff perks, including free lunches.
“The costs were just too high. Manchester United had become bloated. No one’s ever given me a free lunch,” Ratcliffe remarked. “Profitability drives success the more cash you have, the better squad you can build.”
United last won the Premier League title in 2013 and the Europa League in 2017, with Ratcliffe saying his priority is to place the club on “a sustainable, healthy footing” before chasing glory again.
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