Ruben Amorim: Manchester United and the search for the lost time...

The Portuguese Ruben Amorim took over Manchester United as the seventh head coach after the legendary Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson – and experienced a bumpy start at the record champions. 

What a celebration on November 5, 2024! In the Champions League, Sporting Lisbon under coach Ruben Amorim demolished Manchester City 4-1 in their last European Cup match. 

Afterward, the players lifted Amorim high, and he bid farewell with a 4-2 win in Braga after 1,711 days and 165 victories in 231 games, leaving the Portuguese capital for Manchester United.

Well, since then, Sporting Lisbon hasn't won a competitive match… 

The first Champions League opponent after the Amorim era was also the first tough away match for the former Sporting coach with Man. United: Arsenal.

"The Gunners" won 5-1 in the Champions League in Lisbon and also defeated Amorim's new club, Manchester United, 2-0 (0-0) on December 4, 2024, at the Emirates Stadium, which doesn’t improve the new hope at Old Trafford.

Perplexed in London: Manchester United and their new coach Ruben Amorim on December 4, 2024. Photo: Imago

"Chaos has ruled since 2013" 

On November 11, 2024, during the international break, Amorim took over for the legendary "Van, the Man", interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy. 

He faces a football giant that is on the floor. "United now only lives off the sound of its once-great name," wrote the esteemed colleague Thomas Bröker on October 31, 2024, in Kicker Sports Magazine, when Amorim's appointment became concrete, "since 2013, chaos has ruled in the coaching matter, Erik ten Hag was dismissed five months too late – after an embarrassing dance."

Former England pro Markus Babbel, whom I've known for years, described it in BILD am SONNTAG (Issue of November 3, 2024) as follows: "When I played against Manchester United in the past – whether with Bayern Munich, Liverpool FC or Blackburn Rovers – those were always festive days. No wonder: The Red Devils were arguably the first global football brand when football globalized in the 90s. For us Bayern, everything culminated in the legendary 1999 Champions League final, where we led 1-0 until extra time and then lost… When I look at Manchester United today, I almost feel nostalgic – and angry."
Well, who wouldn’t?

Four points to start

Babbel continued: "Manchester United is about to completely lose touch with the top English teams." 

That was before Amorim arrived. He took over United in 12th place in the Premier League table and started with a 1-1 draw at Portman Road against returning Ipswich Town. 
Since then, the position has only changed slightly, Manchester United is still stuck in the middle of the table under Amorim, ranked 11th.

"Ten Hag failed with his focus on the Netherlands," wrote England idol Keir Radnedge, "his successor must quickly meet the fans' expectations of seeing a United team that matches the club's traditions: success and entertainment."
With all due respect, Manchester United is still far from that! "We lost the momentum," said Amorim after his first defeat with the "Red Devils," "we tried everything to control the game."

Ruben Amorim – For 11 years, Manchester United has been looking for a successful coach. It feels like the search for lost time. The time when United was the football power from England.

None of Amorim's predecessors had a win percentage of more than 58 percent. This record was set by his famous compatriot José Mourinho ("I never said I was the best, I only said that I don't know anyone better.") "The Special One" won two titles with United (Europa League and EFL League Cup in 2017), but had a fallout with the then-superstar Paul Pogba. 

26 points from the first 17 league matches with Mourinho meant the worst start for Man. United since the 1990/91 season. By Christmas 2018, the eccentric had to leave. 

Amorim has 4 points from his first three Premier League games. Whether he can become "the glorious seventh" after Ferguson, I believe so. But for that, patience is needed at Old Trafford, and that has not been a strength of United's decision-makers in the last decade…

Good Luck, Ruben Amorim!

When does Manchester United play against Manchester City in 2024/2025?

The Manchester Derby against City takes place on December 15 (5:30 PM) at the Etihad Stadium. The return leg at the "Theater of Dreams" will then take place on April 5, 2025. 

When is the return match for Manchester United at Liverpool FC?

Liverpool won the first encounter clearly 3-0 and will host their archrival at the start of the new calendar year on January 5, 2025 (Matchday 20) at Anfield.