Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly backed under-fire manager Ruben Amorim, but there has been widespread speculation about his true feelings towards the Portuguese coach
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has backed Ruben Amorim amid criticism of the Manchester United manager
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has backed Ruben Amorim amid criticism of the Manchester United manager
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Michael Owen reckons Sir Jim Ratcliffe has got it spot on with his public support for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, despite mounting pressure on the under-fire boss.
Amorim has endured a difficult first year in charge at Old Trafford, even offering his resignation twice if Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the club's hierarchy felt it would serve United's best interests. Speculation has swirled around Ratcliffe's true feelings toward the Portuguese tactician.
Ratcliffe, who runs football matters at the club, branded the 40-year-old manager a 'good guy' who deserves assessment across his entire three-year deal. "He has not had the best of seasons," Ratcliffe acknowledged.
"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 quizzed about potential action if United's majority shareholders, the Glazers demanded Amorim's dismissal, but Ratcliffe ruled out such a scenario, declaring: "It's not going to happen."
Discussing the situation with Sky Bet, Owen declared he thinks Ratcliffe's public backing of Amorim represents the right 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.'
"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.
Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim has had a rocky first year in charge at Man United
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"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 supported Amorim to remain in charge at his former club for the long haul.
"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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