RUBEN AMORIM doubted if he would make it to a year in charge of Manchester United.
It is exactly 12 months since the Red Devils appointed the Portuguese, who is currently enjoying his first three-game winning run at Old Trafford.
Amorim, 40, marks his first anniversary at Nottingham Forest, the scene of one of United’s 18 Prem defeats last season.
United finished 15th in the league and trophyless to mark their worst campaign since they were relegated 51 years ago.
On the eve of his milestone, Amorim said he wondered whether it was “meant to be” for him at United — but that it was “the best decision in my life” to take over at Old Trafford.
When asked if he believed he would last a year, Amorim said: “It’s hard to say… sometimes in some moments. I know you are going to write that!
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But there were moments that were tough to deal with, to lose so many games, that was so hard for me.
“Because this is Manchester United, the position that we had in the last year, putting all the attention on the Europa League and not winning, that was massive. So I had some moments I struggled a lot and I was thinking maybe it’s not meant to be.
“Today is the opposite. So you can write this one! Today I feel, and I know, that it was the best decision in my life — and I want to be here.”
The ex-Sporting chief is hopeful United can strengthen their squad in the winter transfer window to build further — but NOT on stop-gap signings.
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United will lose forwards Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo from December 21 due to the Africa Cup of Nations, which ends on January 18.
Amorim added: “We want to buy players we know we are not going to change a lot of times. And January, we can do something.”
‘I TRY TO BALANCE MY LIFE’
As Ruben Amorim strolled around the Cheshire suburb of Alderley Edge on Monday, a passer-by asked where his family were.
“In Portugal,” the Manchester United manager replied.
“I wouldn’t mind being in Portugal.”
“Me too,” laughed Amorim.
He has not always been able to utter such a flippant comment in the knowledge it will not be linked to his future at Old Trafford.
The feel-good factor has returned with Amorim on the shortlist for the October manager-of-the-month award.
He may even have been able to enjoy a celebratory meal for one after the 4-2 win over Brighton made it three victories in a row, a streak that has coincided with six defeats in seven for bitter rivals Liverpool.
Amorim’s mood has never wavered during his time at United.
He has taken umbrage at the odd question but, whatever the result, he has remained upbeat and realistic.
Amorim claimed: “A lot of people want to see me here with a face that says I’m suffering and I like to do the opposite.
“I said, since the first moment, this will not change who I am.
“I live my life like this, and I know football will change in some moment.
“We are in a good moment but I always have that feeling something can change. So I try to balance my life. You can say I laugh a lot but you also can say that I’m always like this on the bench. I just live with emotions, and I follow my team.
“If my team is playing well and running a lot, I will be a happy man.”
PREDICTING A STORM
A week after Amorim’s appointment last November, a staff member close to United’s first team was asked about the surge of optimism surrounding the club.
They replied: “I don’t want to get too carried away.” And with good reason.
Amorim predicted a “storm” after only three games. United then lost six of their next eight but that was nothing compared to the storm after the League Cup defeat by Grimsby in August.
And another was brewing after a 3-1 reverse at Brentford in September.
Despite the recent resurgence, Amorim cannot be sure the winds have passed.
He stressed: “We need to think positive. But we also need to be prepared.
“We are not that team that I can say to you, now we can lose here or there but we are going to maintain.
“I trust my players more, I think they trust me more. That will come with wins.
“You sense that because everyone now is saying how connected they are and they believe in the manager. I think we are in a better place but it’s good to be prepared that something can change.
“We feel we are a better team in this moment. That can help us to overcome the development better.”
PICKING FIGHTS
Amorim picked fights early in his reign, dropping Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford from the squad for last December’s trip to Manchester City.
Club sources saw Garnacho’s loudmouth brother, Roberto, as a nuisance and noted Rashford’s form nosedived after his salary hike in 2023.
After Rashford’s loan move to Barcelona, some close to the England winger suggested Amorim’s box- office press conferences were better than United’s performances.
But in their absence, Amorim has a more harmonious squad.
The recovery from losing three of their first six Prem games this term has been impressive.
United are sixth in the Premier League and the top six was what club insiders privately targeted even before last season had ended.
Amorim reiterated: “We need to go to Europe. Because of everything our club needs to be in Europe.
“Kobbie Mainoo, with the minutes he’s playing, needs more games for me to make a rotation. With one game it’s really hard.”
STICKING WITH THE SYSTEM
Amorim’s stubbornness over his 3-4-3 system has been criticised.
But Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo had previous experience of playing in the same shape — and have started to shine for United.
Amorim added: “Maybe my way of doing things is going to take more time for people to start seeing things.
“A manager that arrives in a club can win three and lose one but there’s also luck in the games.
“We had some luck against Liverpool — the narrative changed because of that.”
Winning three consecutive games should be nothing out of the ordinary for United, which is why Amorim has no interest in embarking on a victory lap.
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He warned: “I know that in two weeks this could change again.”
But after games at Nottingham Forest and Tottenham — fixtures United lost last season — the international break gives Amorim a chance to spend some precious time with his family in Portugal.
