With four points from three Premier League games and an embarrassing cup exit, Manchester United have had an underwhelming start to the 2025-26 season, raising questions over Ruben Amorim's position
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United, applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Manchester United and Burnley at Old Trafford on August 30, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim remains under pressure at Manchester United(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Michael Owen believes Ruben Amorim will succeed at Manchester United if given time, blaming their struggles on more 'deep-rooted' problems. United boss Amorim was appointed in November 2024 and has since won just eight of his 30 Premier League games in charge.
The Portuguese was under huge pressure ahead of the international break before his side snatched a 3-2 win at home to Burnley thanks to Bruno Fernandes' 97th-minute penalty. Off the back of the Red Devils' worst-ever Premier League finish last term which saw them miss out of European football, Amorim was backed with £216.8million worth of signings in the summer transfer window.
"I do," Owen replied. "I would be pro Amorim. I like what I hear and what I see. I'd like to see quicker progress. And I'm not saying he's exempt from any criticism at all. I expected him to be doing better sooner.
"United have churned so many great managers that people need to realise that it's not the managers. There's something more deep-rooted within the club, the players, the staff, the ownership, the manager, the whole thing has got to grow and improve. That will take a bit of time.
"Changing the manager every two minutes is going to put them back rather than forward. So I would stick with him. Absolutely. He's got the right head on his shoulders. It'll take time, but I think he will get it right in the future."
Owen went on to argue that barring their humiliating defeat to fourth-tier Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup, United have had a 'solid enough start' to what Amorim hopes will be his first full season at Old Trafford. "Grimsby was pretty grim, wasn't it?" the former England star acknowledged.
"But apart from that, I think it's been a solid enough start. Being the better team against Arsenal, drawing away at Fulham and beating Burnley, on the face of it, they're reasonably positive results.
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 08: Former footballer, Michael Owen during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest FC and Manchester City FC at City Ground on March 08, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Michael Owen would 'absolutely' stick with Ruben Amorim
"Listen, I'm not saying it's been great, but four points out of three games, it's not the worst. It's not the worst start. The Grimsby game was a killer. That was just not pretty at all. That was something that obviously the club didn't need at all.
"But I like some of the signings that they've made and think they'll be a better team this year. I think there will be progress. It will be slow progress, but they seem to have gone for a few proven players in their business this year and this season."
The Red Devils will be back in action on Sunday, travelling across town to face bitter rivals Manchester City.