Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has consistently shown public support for Ruben Amorim following a rocky first year in charge at Old Trafford
Ruben Amorim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly backed Ruben Amorim following a difficult year at Man United
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Michael Owen believes that Sir Jim Ratcliffe's stance on Ruben Amorim's position at Manchester United, and his public backing of the manager, has been the right approach from the Reds' co-owner following criticism.
Amorim has endured a difficult first year in charge of United and has twice offered to resign if Ratcliffe and the rest of the hierarchy felt it was in the club's best interests. There has been widespread speculation about co-owner Ratcliffe's true opinion of the Portuguese manager.
Ratcliffe, who oversees football operations at the club, described the 40-year-old head coach as a 'good guy' who deserves to be judged over the full length of his three-year contract. "He has not had the best of seasons," Ratcliffe admitted.
"Amorim is a good guy. I would say Ruben needs to demonstrate that he's a great coach over three years. That's where I would be - three years - because football is not overnight. Look at Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, he had a miserable time the first couple of years."
The English businessman was also asked about what would happen if United majority owners the Glazers told him to sack Amorim, but Ratcliffe dismissed the notion, saying: "It's not going to happen."
Speaking to Sky Bet about the situation, Owen said he believes Ratcliffe's public defence of Amorim is the correct approach.
"I don't know what people expect Sir Jim Ratcliffe to say about Ruben Amorim," the former United, Liverpool and England striker said. "Of course, he's going to back his manager publicly – that's what you do. He can't exactly say: 'He's got three games to save his job.'
Ruben Amorim and Kobbie Mainoo
Ruben Amorim has come under pressure at United(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
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"What else can he say? It’s one of those questions where there's no right answer. Behind closed doors, I'm sure he'd have a more realistic view, but in public he must back the manager. That's just how it works in football.
"If Manchester United lost the next five games, the tone would change, but for now he's doing the right thing by supporting him."
Owen also backed Amorim to take the reins at his former club for the foreseeable future.
"Ruben Amorim can be the man to lead Manchester United for years to come," he added. "When Erik ten Hag was in charge, I said from minute one that I couldn't see it - I didn't agree with his words or his style of football.
"But with Amorim, I like what he says and his principles. With time, investment, and stability, he can succeed. Some massive managers have failed at that club over the last decade, so at some point you have to stop chopping and changing and just stick with someone.
"The club has changed everything - managers, facilities, staff, even the boardroom. Now they need stability and time to piece it back together. That’s what Amorim can bring if he’s given the chance.”
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