Manchester United Boss Amorim Embraces Pressure, Targets Silverware

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is already looking ahead to next season, demanding significant improvement from his team and embracing the pressure of managing a massive club.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim addressed the media ahead of the highly anticipated clash with Manchester City this weekend. Amorim is looking to build on his team's impressive performance this season, which has seen them secure multiple wins against City.

Amorim provided a mixed update on the team's injury situation, offering hope that some key players could return for Sunday's game. Regarding Mason Mount's availability, Amorim said, “Yes, he can start, but we have to manage his minutes still.” This suggests that while Mount is nearing full fitness, the team will need to be cautious with his playing time.

The manager also provided updates on Matthijs de Ligt and Kobbie Mainoo, indicating that while they may not be ready to play a full 90 minutes against City, they could feature in the coming weeks. Speaking about Mainoo, Amorim said, “I think Kobbie is returning to training, so we'll see and assess for this game already.” However, he cautioned that Mainoo's prolonged absence from training means he's not yet ready for a full game. “Of course, he cannot play a full game, he's a long time without training.”

Amorim also addressed the status of De Ligt, who picked up an issue during the game against Forest. “I think Matta (de Ligt) has an issue. He had something during the game (at Forest) and we have to assess,” Amorim explained. He concluded by noting that the rest of the team is in a normal state, implying that there are no other significant injury concerns at this time. “I think the rest is normal,” he said.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim shared his thoughts on the team's title chances for next season. While acknowledging that it may seem overly ambitious, Amorim expressed his desire to bridge the gap between United and the top contenders as soon as possible. “I understand, I'm not naive, what I don't want is (that) we need a lot of years to be competitive,” Amorim said, emphasizing his eagerness to accelerate the team's progress.

Amorim recognized that United still has a long way to go before becoming a serious title contender. However, he refused to accept that it would take multiple years to achieve competitiveness. “I cannot think like that, I cannot manage that, it's not in me,” Amorim stated, highlighting his determination to drive positive change within the team. He acknowledged the challenges ahead, saying, “That's why I'm putting pressure on myself. I know we are not going to be the biggest contender in the next year or two years, I know we need to do a lot of things.”

Amorim elaborated on the efforts being made to transform the team's culture and standards. He explained that this process involves making tough decisions, including changing players who are not adaptable to the new standards. “We are doing a lot of things, putting some standards and sometimes we change players because they're not just here,” Amorim said. “Sometimes they have to learn how to adjust to our new standards, I know that so it's really hard to do something like that in one year.”

“Then we have to change a lot of things, we are changing a lot of staff, we are changing a lot of things inside the club. I know that it is going to take time but I will not think like that and I will not say I need a lot of years, I cannot manage that. 

“We are preparing for something that we have to change a lot next year. So next year is our goal. I am not going to say we are going to win the title next year, I am not crazy. What I’m saying is that I don’t want this conversation that we need a lot of years.”

“Let’s keep it calm, we are in a rush. We are suffering a lot to be so much better next year and that is our goal. And sometimes things can happen. I don’t know. I don’t want to be that guy who is here and says we need a lot of time. I will not be that coach.”

Ruben discussed Garna in Friday's press conference 🇦🇷#MUFC || #PL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 4, 2025

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim once again emphasized the importance of ambition and handling pressure at a massive club like United. Looking ahead to next season, Amorim stressed the need for significant improvement, saying, “For me, from next season we need to be so much better because this is a massive club and I like to put that pressure on me and everyone here.”

Amorim acknowledged that the focus must be on enhancing every aspect of the team. He also recognized the unique challenges of managing in the Premier League, where pressure and scrutiny are intense. “I think the focus must be how to improve our team in every aspect,” Amorim said. He added, “The Premier League is so different, I have a lot of people saying Sir Alex Ferguson took three or four years to win something. It is not possible nowadays because you have to speak three times and give three interviews before every game so the pressure is completely different.”

“Any team in the Premier League can win. But we are Manchester United. There are a lot of good things, there are bad things. No matter the context, we have to be there with the best ones. We will have to face a lot of adversity and a lot of big teams, more than in the past but let’s focus on that and try to win the next game.”