Ruben Amorim is trying to restore the glory days at Manchester United.
There is no denying that Ruben Amorim had a tough first six months in charge at Manchester United, with the team losing the Europa League final and finishing 15th in the Premier League.
The Portuguese coach was hired following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, but results on the pitch didn’t improve.
Ineos will hope that by backing Amorim in the summer transfer window that the United head coach can deliver better results next term. Otherwise, Amorim will fall subject to unwanted questions.
United have so far signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves, but Amorim is looking to add at least two more attackers to his squad before his 2025/26 campaign gets underway.
Due to having misfiring forwards like Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund, an emphasis will be put on adding goals to the team, which is why United have made a second bid for Bryan Mbeumo. The Brentford star scored 20 goals in the Premier League last term.
United fans will be eager to see Amorim’s team with a greater scoring output next term.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim during post-season tour.
Photo by Annice Lyn/Manchester United via Getty Images
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During the glory years under Sir Alex Ferguson, United always had multiple players who were capable of scoring goals.
One player who witnessed that first hand was Paul Ince, having spent six years at Old Trafford between 1989 and 1995.
In an exclusive interview with United In Focus, the former United midfielder explains that his teams consisted of multiple scorers, whereas teams nowadays are reliant on one or two individuals to provide goals.
Ince believes Amorim’s transfer targets prove that he is trying to add more goalscorers to his team to take some of the responsibility away from Bruno Fernandes, who topped the goal charts for United last term.
“When I go back to when we played in our team, we’ve got goals from all over the park,” Ince said.
“Brucey would pop up and score, so would Denis Irwin and there was Giggsy, Beckham, Kanchelskis, Cantona, Sparky. So, we had goals from all over the team.
“You don’t really get that as much. Look at Kane when he was at Tottenham. He was scoring 30-odd goals. Haaland now.
“If you look at Cunha, he scored 17 goals last year. Mbeumo scored 20 last year at Brentford. Put that with Fernandes, who scored 19 last year, and you’re now getting goals from all over the place.
“Maybe that might be the way forward for United because as much as I like Hojlund, he’s still young.
“He’s not ready yet and he needs that kind of senior striker to support him. We’ve asked a young 21-year-old to perform week in and week out on the biggest stage in the world at Manchester United.
“We have seen players fail to meet expectations at United in the last five or six years. Antony, as good a player as he is, didn’t look the same player at United. He goes to Real Betis, and he looks like a completely different player. So, it’s a different pressure.
“I think United need to bring in a striker, and Hojlund can be more of a support act without the pressures of having to play every week and score goals. Hopefully, United can bring in a striker.”
Hopefully, Amorim can find a way for his team to score freely like Ferguson’s teams of old did season after season.
Ince also gave a promising verdict on Cunha with the firm belief that the Brazilian will bring goals to United.
Ince explains what Amorim needs to turn things around
It is no secret that Amorim’s first six months at United were tough.
Ince believes a strong pre-season is what Amorim needs to turn things around at Old Trafford next season.
That is on top of signing the right personnel before the transfer window closes.
“As a manager, all you probably want is a pre-season,” said Amorim.
“When you think back to when he [Ruben Amorim] came into the club in January, and tried to impose his system on players. That didn’t really go too well. The players struggled to handle the system.
“So now, from what I gather, looking at what he’s trying to do in the transfer market, is trying to bring players who’ve played in that system.
“There’s Matheus Cunha, who plays as a No. 10 at Wolves. Then there’s Bryan Mbeumo at Brentford.
“So, I think he needs to bring in new personnel who fit the system. And he needs to have a pre-season to coach these players.
“It’s so important that they hit the ground running because last year was disastrous.
“None of it [excuses] matters – formations or Amorim only being there six months. There’s no excuse. To finish where they finished was a disaster. So I think it’s important that this year, he hits the ground running.
“Those first three fixtures are very, very tough. But he has to hit the ground running. Hopefully, momentum will take him forward.
“When you look at what went on last season, he’s got to perform early doors and get it right. I think we’ve all been talking about the system and does it work? Does it not work? Man United have never played three at the back. The best teams don’t. City don’t. Real Madrid don’t. Barcelona don’t.
“He’s coming in playing this way and says he won’t change. He’s been quite open about that in front of the press. So, important that he’s gets a pre-season and the right personnel in, and then he’s got to hit the ground running. Otherwise there will be problems.”
Paul Ince spoke ahead of the final #RifeDontMiss Challenge, celebrating the launch of the new RIFE Black Edition putters. To register for the final qualifier and be in with a chance of winning £50,000, sign up here.