EXCLUSIVE: Wes Brown is praying Manchester United don't emulate Liverpool's 30 years without winning the title and Ruben Amorim can resurrect the fallen Premier League giants
13:41, 14 Feb 2025
Leny Yoro of Manchester United (L), Amad Diallo of Manchester United (C) and Harry Maguire of Manchester United
Manchester United could soon fear a Premier League trophy drought as long as Liverpool's(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Wes Brown doesn't want to contemplate the unthinkable prospect of Manchester United emulating bitter rivals Liverpool for all the wrong reasons.
Liverpool once went three decades without being crowned English champions, until winning the title under Jurgen Klopp in 2020. And now a similar scenario is gripping United with absolute dread, as the years roll on without them even threatening to be the kings of English football once again.
United have surpassed a decade themselves since last being crowned champions, which came back in 2013 in Sir Alex Ferguson's final act as manager. There is still a long way to go for United to find themselves matching Liverpool's unwanted record.
But the notion is not out of the question - and former United favourite Brown admits it is down to the new ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, not to mention manager Ruben Amorim, to make sure this never happens.
United face a crunch trip to fellow strugglers Tottenham on Sunday and Brown told NewBettingSites.uk: "I hope it never happens. You don't want to think of that. But it's swings and roundabouts. You have to build things back up. That's what United have to do. They have a great history, and now it's someone else's turn to build them back.
Wes Brown
Wes Brown admits Man Utd's Premier League title drought is tough to think of(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
"There's been a lot of changes, for better or worse. That's the way they (INEOS) want to go with it. We've had many years of disappointments, and they've come in and changed a few things up.
"I always say it can only get worse before it gets better. There's a lot of stuff going into it, like a new stadium. But ultimately the football has to produce on the pitch. Time will tell. There's a lot of changes and no one really knows what's going to happen in the future."
Amorim has endured a baptism of fire since replacing Erik ten Hag in November. He has had to deal with some humiliating and damaging defeats, not to mention the fall-out from a toxic situation with Marcus Rashford, who has been sent packing to Aston Villa on-loan.
Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp ended Liverpool's 30-year English league title drought
But Brown is a big fan of Amorim's, and has backed him to make the squad changes he needs to mould his own side. He said: "I like the manager, because he tells it how it is and what he expects.
"He's sticking to his guns. He knows what works and if everyone goes along with it, it works. As a manager you have to stick to your guns and be strong, be disciplined if you think there's no discipline. Amorim is looking for energy. I know he's drilling that into their heads. Don't give up."
So how much time does the Portuguese need to stand a realistic chance of turning United back into serial winners again? Brown added: "Where are United, 13th? That's not good enough. Simple as that.
Ruben Amorim
Amorim has endured a tough start to life at Old Trafford(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
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"We all talk as fans, and it does take time to understand what a manager wants. But at the beginning of the season no-one would have said they'd be where they are now. If you hated United then maybe you would have! But no-one could have put United down there. This season has been more disappointing than you'd have thought.
"The manager is going to need a while. He needs to get his own players in. That will change the whole vibe of the club. United can beat anyone on their day. Next season, I'd like to see them get into Europe.
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"I'm sure the manager will make some big changes. When these signings come in everyone will be fighting for their places. The manager will change it. Some will be disappointed. A club like Manchester United has to be going for a Champions League spot - but you just don't know."