Ruben Amorim will be a success at Manchester United. You get the feeling he has the personality and know-how to guide the club back to the top of English and European football. This season is a write-off as United struggle for consistency, and Amorim’s trouble of implementing his 3-4-3 system and playing philosophy.
That said, the jury will be out on Amorim next season when he’ll have a pre-season to work with the players more intensely, and INEOS can rebuild a squad that he suggested is 'the worst in the club's history'.
INEOS told Amorim, “It’s now or never” when appointing him as new head coach in November after sacking Erik ten Hag. But was that decision a mistake? It was rushed and didn’t consider how significantly demanding the transition would be.
INEOS Should Have Used Van Nistelrooy's Interim Season
Ruud van Nistelrooy took charge of United on an interim basis before Amorim arrived, and the Dutchman fared well in the role, overseeing three wins and one draw in four games. This included two wins over his future employers, Leicester City (3-0 and 5-2), and a 1-1 draw with top-four challengers Chelsea.
There were suggestions Van Nistelrooy would stay in a coaching role as part of Amorim's team but that wasn't the case as the Portuguese wanted a clean slate after arriving from Sporting CP with his backroom staff.
Van Nistelrooy on leaving United:
“Man Utd will always have a special place in my heart, and I hope there are many more glory days at Old Trafford very soon - not only because I want the club to do well, but because you all deserve it!"
“To everyone at Manchester United Football Club, in particular the backroom staff, the players and the fans. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible efforts and support. It has been a privilege and honour to represent the club as a player, coach and… pic.twitter.com/G9Z2Ad249u
— Ruud van Nistelrooij (@RvN1776) November 15, 2024
INEOS should have continued with Van Nistelrooy until the end of the season and given Amorim the job in the summer to start a whole new chapter for the club instead of throwing him into the deep end of a disastrous situation and season.
This period allows Amorim to get a look into the squad and determine who should stay or go next summer. But putting him in place for pre-season will have ensured he doesn’t have any problems trying to put his methods across while the Red Devils underperform, as seen with the poor displays under his tutelage.
Van Nistelrooy wouldn’t have come under pressure regardless of the situation, as he’s a fan favourite and club legend. He could have been the one to help Amorim judge the squad, as the current coach hinted at with regards to Amad’s development this season.