Manchester United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has drawn an eye-catching comparison while discussing Ruben Amorim’s tenure at Old Trafford.
Speaking on The Business podcast on Thursday (October 9), Ratcliffe promised to give Amorim three years to prove himself, admitting that being head coach of Manchester United is no easy task.
Amorim was Ratcliffe’s first managerial appointment after the INEOS chairman assumed control of football operations from the Glazer family in 2023.
However, his debut season fell far below expectations as United finished 15th in the Premier League and missed out on both silverware and European qualification after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
This season has not been particularly glowing either, with United sitting 10th in the table after seven games, though they did record a much-needed 2-0 win over Sunderland before the international break.
Ratcliffe’s surprising comparison
Among several notable comments in his recent interview, one in particular caught the attention of United and Premier League fans alike.
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Ratcliffe compared Amorim’s early struggles to those of Sir Alex Ferguson, suggesting that even United’s most legendary manager faced immense pressure early on.
“I recall the clamor for Sir Alex Ferguson to be dismissed during his first two years,” Ratcliffe said.
“Look at [Mikel] Arteta at Arsenal. He had a terrible time during his first two years. At the end of the day, we are driven by results, but we have to be patient and look at the long-term results.
“I think there are a lot of good things at Manchester United. It’s not like flipping a switch. Ruben (Amorim) has to prove he’s a great coach over three years.”
While Amorim is nowhere near reaching Ferguson’s iconic stature, Ratcliffe’s appeal for patience does carry some weight.
United have cycled through 10 managers since their last Premier League title win in 2013, none of whom have managed to restore consistent success.
While Amorim has struggled more than many would believe the Manchester United manager should, it is hard to argue with the suggestion that any coach, no matter how proficient, would need time to take this United squad back to the top.
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