Ruben Amorim has arguably received the cleanest slate from the Manchester United owners than any other manager so far, and he’s making full use of it by doing what no other person before him has in the hot seat.
The time that Ruben Amorim kept wanting throughout 2024/25 has finally arrived. He can train the team in his ways for almost a month without any competitive games.
Man Utd return for pre-season training on July 7, before playing their first game of the pre-season in Sweden against rivals Leeds United on July 19.
However, even before the festivities begin, Amorim has already separated himself from everyone who came before him. It’s a positive starting sign that needs to be seen through.
Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, speaks with his staff during a training session
Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim sets the tone in 2025/26
It speaks volumes about the backing the Man Utd manager is receiving from Ineos that a huge decision on the squad has arrived before a ball is kicked, even in training, let alone in a game.
United asked five players not to return to pre-season training with the rest of the squad after they had asked the club for a move.
These five – Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, and Tyrell Malacia – have been on the exit list for a while but haven’t been sold for a variety of reasons.
If the players didn’t want to stay and commit to the club, Amorim didn’t want them anywhere near the squad as he seeks a clear slate.
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In doing that, he’s already done what no other manager before him has done, or has been allowed to do.
Since David Moyes, who was a dead man walking from day one as he couldn’t command the dressing room, all the way to Erik ten Hag, who Jadon Sancho was forced upon last pre-season, the players have always won at Old Trafford.
Not under Amorim, who has been backed by Ineos. They know making this public has tanked the value of this quintet further, if at all that was possible, but taking a short-term financial hit is worth it to reset the dressing room.
United have their very own “bomb squad”, and it’s long overdue. But the next step is important now.
Ineos need to nail the next step at Man Utd
Backing the manager and leaving five players behind is a statement of intent in itself, but it will count for nothing if the next step isn’t taken.
Jose Mourinho (in)famously complained throughout the 2018/19 pre-season in a passive-aggressive manner when the players he wanted didn’t get sold, and he received Fred, Diogo Dalot, and Lee Grant in return.
Not only do Ineos need to fix the incoming players, they need to nail the sales of these five as quickly as possible.
For all the talk of resetting United’s reputation in the transfer market as a force to be reckoned with, they need to reset the club’s reputation in the eyes of the players first.
That starts by sending a ruthless message. Sell the players by all means possible, not caring about the financial hit for this particular summer, because they are relics of the mistakes made by the Glazers.
Unprofessionalism and personal agendas should not be tolerated, so selling them at a loss will still be profitable in the long term.
It sends a message that you’re either with the club or against it. Those who are against it have no place.