Amorim has won 19 of his 50 matches in charge of United, and Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Sunderland was United’s third of the season. Ratcliffe recognised the stuttering start to the 2025/26 campaign, but said the hierarchy will not be reactionary in the face of early-season adversity.
“The press, sometimes I don’t understand. They want overnight success. They think it’s a light switch. You know, you flick a switch and it’s all going to be roses tomorrow.
“You can’t run a club like Manchester United on knee-jerk reactions to some journalist who goes off on one every week.”
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Amorim explains why Man Utd need ‘crazy guys’ to improve fortunes
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Amorim inherited a difficult situation, with his appointment coming after Ten Hag had won just three of United’s opening nine Premier League matches of the 2024/25 season.
Asked if Amorim would be granted three years in the job, Ratcliffe replied: “Yes. That is where I would be. Three years. Because football is not overnight.”
The Ineos chairman and CEO compared Amorim’s position to that of Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, with the Spaniard having endured some difficult early moments in the job before comfortably establishing his side as among the best in the Premier League.
Ratcliffe said: “You also look at Arteta at Arsenal. He had a miserable time over the first couple of years. We have to be patient. We have a long-term plan. It isn’t a light switch.”
Billionare Ratcliffe completed the purchase of his minority stake in United in February 2024.
Asked what would be the outcome if United’s majority owners – the Glazer family – told him to sack Amorim, Ratcliffe responded: “It’s not going to happen.”
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‘We never played our game’ – Amorim feels Man Utd made life easy for Brentford
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“That probably sums it up. We’re local and they’re the other side of the pond. That’s a long way away to try and manage a football club as big and complex as Manchester United. We’re here with feet on the ground.
“They (the Glazers) get a bad rap… but they are really nice people, and they are really passionate about the club.”
United are currently 10th in the Premier League, with their three Premier League victories this season coming in their last five matches.
They return to action away at champions Liverpool on October 19.
