Manchester United’s under-pressure manager Rúben Amorim will be given the full three years of his contract to demonstrate his capabilities, and the club is on track to become the most profitable in the world, co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said on Wednesday.
Amorim, Ratcliffe’s chosen successor to Erik ten Hag last November, has so far struggled to revive the team’s form, managing only 10 wins in 34 Premier League matches since taking charge.
Manchester United suffered their worst top-flight finish last season since their relegation in 1973–74, ending the campaign in 15th place and missing out on European football after losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.
Despite the disappointment, co-owner Jim Ratcliffe has given his strongest backing yet to manager Rúben Amorim, drawing parallels with Sir Alex Ferguson’s early struggles before he became the club’s most successful manager.
“I remember the calls for Alex Ferguson to be sacked in his first two years,” Ratcliffe, who owns 30% of the club and oversees football operations, told The Times podcast The Business. “Look at Mikel Arteta at Arsenal — he had a difficult couple of years at the start.
“We’re a results-driven business, but patience is essential. There’s a lot to be positive about at Manchester United. We have a long-term plan — it’s not something that changes overnight. Rúben needs the full three years to prove he’s a top coach.”
Although the Glazer family still hold the majority stake in United, Ratcliffe dismissed any notion that they could pressure him into sacking Amorim.
“That absolutely wouldn’t happen,” he said. “We have a good working relationship. They attend board meetings, and we discuss things together.
“We’ve made mistakes — no question — but we’ve acknowledged them. No one’s perfect.”
When asked if Amorim would see out his contract, Ratcliffe replied:
“Yes, that’s my intention. Three years — football isn’t something that changes overnight.”
Despite United’s on-field struggles, the club recently announced record revenues of £666.5 million ($892.1 million) for the year ending June 2025, though they still posted a £33 million loss. Amorim’s squad was bolstered by over £200 million in new signings during the summer.
“The stronger your squad, the better your football should be,” Ratcliffe said. “Much of our first year has been spent putting the club on a sustainable, healthy footing.
“Last year’s results showed record revenues — the highest ever — and profitability at the second-highest level. The full impact of our restructuring isn’t reflected yet, and we weren’t even in the Champions League. Those numbers will keep improving.
“I believe Manchester United will become the most profitable football club in the world, and from that, we’ll build a long-term, sustainable era of top-level football.”
Ratcliffe also outlined his ambition to revitalise the club’s famed Academy, which once produced legends like David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, and Gary Neville.
“The Academy has declined at Manchester United,” he admitted. “You can’t fix that overnight — it takes time. But we’ve just appointed a new Academy director, and rebuilding that pathway is a major priority.”
