Manchester United announced Project 150 after Sir Jim Ratcliffe's takeover, with the aim of winning the Premier League by 2028, but it's looking unlikely now.
11:57, Sat, Mar 8, 2025 | UPDATED: 12:00, Sat, Mar 8, 2025
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is feeling the heat at Manchester United (Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media, Getty Images)
Manchester United's ambitious Project 150 is in jeopardy as it becomes clear that manager Ruben Amorim will need more time to build a team capable of challenging for the Premier League title. Upon his arrival last summer, Chief Executive Omar Berrada announced co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's goal of reclaiming the title by 2028, marking United's 150th anniversary.
However, the enormity of the task facing Amorim is becoming increasingly apparent. Inside the United boardroom, there's an understanding that the 40-year-old Portuguese manager is working under difficult conditions due to the subpar squad he inherited from Erik ten Hag and the club's precarious financial situation. Despite expectations of better results than Amorim's current record - just 10 wins in 25 games - there's recognition that the former Sporting Lisbon coach needs time, especially if he can't be financially supported in the transfer market.
As per the Mirror, a source revealed: "Amorim felt he could get more from the current squad when he came in and there have been some encouraging results. But there's no getting away from the fact that overall it's been a really tough watch - and that it's going to take a lot of time and patience to get the team to where they should be. You've got to be brave or foolish to think winning the league by 2028 is doable from where United currently are."
It's nearly 12 years since Sir Alex Ferguson parted ways with the club after winning the last of his 13 Premier League titles, and Berrada's reputation is wedded to the success of Amorim.
The chief's statement of intent to rise back to the peak of the Premier League was met with speculation from some staff members. Within a week, Ten Hag was shown the door, despite faith being put in him with a recent contract extension and a £200million transfer budget over the summer.
Ruben Amorim of Manchester United
Ruben Amorim could need more time to sort his squad out (Image: PA)
Berrada was the driving force behind Amorim's appointment, regardless of warnings from then sporting director Dan Ashworth, who claimed that the squad would need a substantial overhaul to suit his style of play. Ashworth followed Ten Hag out the door at Old Trafford less than five months after the club paid Newcastle United £5m to acquire his services, and INEOS will be fully aware at present of the consequences of making another knee-jerk managerial change.
After all, it cost the club £10.4m to fire Ten Hag, and another £11m to hire Amorim from Sporting CP. United, fearing a failure of the Premier League's PSR, could only secure Lecce's £25m wing-back Patrick Dorgu and young Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven in the January window amidst loan departures of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Tyrell Malacia.
Securing the permanent exits of these three, coupled with an expected £20m from Chelsea for Jason Sancho, will alleviate the burden of a staggering debt of £773m. An additional £315m, meanwhile, is due on outstanding transfer fees. The Red Devils are also looking to find a new home for Casemiro and Christian Eriksen as their respective contracts expire, while upcoming talents like Harry Amass, Jack Fletcher, Sekou Kone, Jack Moorhouse, Tyler Fredricson, Elyh Harrison and Godwill Kukonki are all vying for spots in Amorim's squad for a clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford.
These youngsters have emerged from an academy that has produced a team capable of reaching the FA Youth Cup semi-finals. However, even the legendary Class of 92 thrived because they were integrated into a team already brimming with experienced winners.