Jamie Carragher in his opinion for the Telegraph thinks that the biggest challenge for Amorim at Man Utd comes after 18 months.
When Ruben Amorim steps into Old Trafford, his mission is clear but challenging: make Manchester United contenders for titles again. It’s a task that’s demanded of every manager, and Amorim will be expected to rise to it immediately.
Manchester United has a history of prominent managers finding some success early on. Louis van Gaal brought the FA Cup home in 2016, Jose Mourinho clinched both the League Cup and Europa League in his first season, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reached the Europa League final while also finishing second in the Premier League. Even Erik Ten Hag started strong, winning a trophy in his debut campaign and earning United a place in the Champions League. So, Amorim’s task begins with a solid foundation and ample resources.
What makes the job unique is not only United’s standing as one of football’s giants but also the potential in the squad. United has a lineup of talent that just needs a coach capable of extracting their best performances. And no matter the challenges, the club’s allure for top players remains strong, driven by history, ambition, and financial backing.
Yet, Manchester United’s story in recent years is one of promising beginnings followed by struggles to stay consistent. Coaches like Van Gaal, Mourinho, and Solskjaer started well but hit a wall when it came to pushing United up a level to compete with rivals like Manchester City. Each time they neared that next step, the momentum faded, and United found itself slipping further from title contention.
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Amorim’s arrival will likely bring excitement and a quick improvement, as United’s new managers often do. The squad has the potential, and Amorim’s job will be to organize and inspire them to new heights. The real test, however, will come later. The question is whether he can maintain this momentum 18 months down the line, proving that he’s building a team with the grit and consistency needed to challenge for Premier League and Champions League titles.
The expectation at Manchester United is high, and patience is often short. Previous managers like Mourinho, Solskjaer, and Ten Hag eventually lost favor as results dwindled, leaving fans and critics feeling that United was always five years away from rivaling City. Amorim’s challenge will be to close that gap, showing that he can bring United back to the top sooner.
This isn’t an easy jump for Amorim, and United’s faith in a young, ambitious coach is a calculated risk. They’re betting he’s the next big name, much like Mourinho was when he made waves in Europe. Amorim’s tactical style, which often relies on three center-backs, may contrast with the squad’s current setup, but that fresh approach could spark the change United’s management is hoping for.
Interestingly, Amorim’s coaching style may contrast with Ten Hag’s approach, which was never fully defined. The hope is that Amorim will bring a clearer, more distinct style, allowing fans and players to understand and embrace his vision. For a club like United, having a coach with the charisma and authority to lead the dressing room is crucial, especially when players have diverse influences outside of the club.
Whenever a new manager arrives, there’s talk of major squad overhauls, but Amorim doesn’t need drastic changes. Clubs of United’s stature rarely require such sweeping adjustments; often, a few tactical tweaks can make a significant difference.
Unai Emery’s recent success at Aston Villa is a great example. Villa was mid-table when he joined, but now they’re competing at the highest levels. Chelsea, too, rebounded after a tough period, showing that with the right guidance, progress can happen fast. Amorim’s impact could be equally powerful, helping United regain stability and momentum within a short timeframe.
If Amorim can achieve this stability and even take United forward into contention, he could be the manager to finally break the pattern, potentially staying beyond three years – something no United manager has managed since Sir Alex Ferguson. With Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s support, United fans could finally see the long-term progress they’ve been hoping for.
