Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has urged the club and its fans to concentrate on rebuilding and moving forward after Cristiano Ronaldo’s critical remarks about his former team.
Ronaldo, who played under Amorim’s leadership for Portugal, recently claimed that United’s issues go beyond coaching, saying Amorim “cannot do miracles” at a club that is “not on a good path.” The comments came after United’s disappointing 2024/25 season, which saw them finish 15th in the Premier League and lose the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
When asked about Ronaldo’s comments ahead of United’s upcoming clash with Spurs, Amorim acknowledged his former teammate’s influence but made it clear that his focus remains on progress. “Of course he knows and he has a huge impact in everything he said. What we need to focus (on) is in the future. We acknowledge that we, as a club, have made mistakes in the past, but we are working to change that. So, let’s not focus on what happened. Let’s focus on what we are doing now, and we are doing that,” Amorim said.
How Is Amorim Rebuilding Manchester United?
Amorim explained that major structural changes have been introduced to reshape the club’s culture and performance standards. “We are changing a lot of things in the structure, the way we do things, the way we want the players to behave,” he said. “We are doing that and we are improving, so let’s focus on the way we are doing things. We are improving, let’s continue and forget a little bit the past.”
The 40-year-old coach has been widely praised for his focus on discipline, tactical awareness, and player development. Despite the tough season, signs of progress have started to emerge, with United showing improved consistency and composure on the pitch.
United have lost their last four matches against Tottenham, but they enter this weekend’s fixture unbeaten in their last four Premier League games. The run includes a 2-1 victory over league champions and long-time rivals Liverpool, which lifted morale around Old Trafford.
What Has Changed Since United’s Europa League Final Loss?
Asked to reflect on how the team has evolved since their defeat to Spurs in May, Amorim said the squad has become more cohesive and confident. “First of all, the characteristics of the players. So, we are a better team, we play better, we understand the game better. I think we are more confident,” he noted.
He added that while United were confident going into the Europa League final, they lacked the composure and precision that now define their recent performances. “We reached that final confident that we could win because we were doing well in Europe, but in this moment we play with a different confidence. We manage the moments of the game better. But if you remember that game, they have that shot on the goal, they won the game. So, I expect a different game, that we can play better, but also to have a little bit luck to help us to win the game.”
Amorim’s approach appears to be resonating with both players and supporters as United seek to turn the page on a difficult period. His message is clear: the focus must shift from past failures to building a stronger, more unified team capable of competing at the highest level again.
By Yockshard Enyendi