Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the part-owner of Manchester United, is reportedly ready to support Ruben Amorim in rebuilding the team and intends to back him in the upcoming summer transfer window. However, Ratcliffe is seeking assurances that Amorim is fully committed to remaining at the club.
Recent mixed messages from Amorim have apparently caused Ratcliffe concern, leading to fears that the Portuguese manager might decide the task of rebuilding the team is too significant for him.
Last week, according to the report, Amorim suggested he might have to step aside, nearly seven months after supposedly taking over from the sacked Erik ten Hag. He was quoted saying: “It’s a decisive moment in the history of the club. We need to be really strong in the summer and to be brave because we will not have a next season like this. If we start like this, if the feeling is still here, we should give the space to different people.”
Despite these earlier comments, in the build-up to the 1-0 defeat against Chelsea on Friday night, Amorim reportedly insisted that he would not be quitting.
Sources indicate that Ratcliffe remains worried that the former Sporting Lisbon boss might feel he has had enough after a challenging campaign. Amorim reportedly blamed himself for the situation, describing the team as United`s “worst team in history.”
Ratcliffe reportedly sees a resemblance between Amorim`s character and his own – portraying him as a bold, unconventional figure similar to the one who transformed his Ineos company into a global petrochemical giant and became a billionaire.
However, Ratcliffe seeks concrete assurance that the manager intends to see out the remaining two years of his contract, rather than leaving United in a potentially worse state.
Concerns persist that even achieving Champions League qualification, potentially by winning a final game (the source referencing a Europa League final against Tottenham in Spain), might not be enough to prevent the Portuguese manager`s departure.
This uncertainty follows recent results, including a 2-0 Premier League loss to West Ham at Old Trafford last week.
Since his £1.3 billion investment for a 27.7 percent stake 15 months ago, Ratcliffe has overseen significant cost-cutting measures at the club. These steps could reportedly lead to up to 450 job losses. The report highlights the severity of these cuts by claiming Amorim is personally paying for 30 members of his backroom staff to travel to the Bilbao final.
Ratcliffe previously warned about the club`s dire financial state, stating it was close to going bankrupt.
Despite financial constraints, funds are expected to be available for transfers. Reported targets include a £60 million move for Matheus Cunha from Wolves and potentially £30 million for Ipswich forward Liam Delap, in addition to seeking a new goalkeeper and another defender.
To generate further income, it is suggested that homegrown players like Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo could be sold, potentially raising around £100 million, alongside the departure of several other squad members.
Amorim is anticipated to have a significant say in player movements and new signings, working with Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada, and technical director Jason Wilcox. However, this influence depends on him convincing them of his commitment for the long term, avoiding a situation where United needs to find a third manager in under a year.
