Manchester United's hierarchy is aware that the Project 150 dream is a long way off, and Ruben Amorim will need time to build a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's ambitious plans may be mooted
(Image: PA)
Manchester United may need to abandon Project 150 after realising it could take Ruben Amorim years to build a team capable of winning the Premier League.
Upon his arrival at the club last summer, Chief Executive Omar Berrada announced that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe aimed to bring the championship back to Old Trafford by 2028 to celebrate United's 150th anniversary. However, the daunting challenge facing manager Amorim has since become apparent.
There is now an understanding within the United boardroom that the 40-year-old Portuguese mastermind is operating under significant constraints, as one insider put it, "with his hands tied behind his back," due to the subpar squad he inherited from Erik ten Hag and the club's precarious financial situation. United had anticipated better results than those delivered by Amorim - a mere 10 victories in 25 matches.
Yet, with Ratcliffe's INEOS Group currently undertaking a revamp of the Reds' operations from the academy level to the first-team squad, following an ownership agreement with the Glazer family just over a year ago, there is recognition that the former Sporting Lisbon coach must be given time if he cannot be financially supported in the transfer market.
The source told the Mirror: "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 been nearly 12 years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired after securing his 13th Premier League title, and Berrada's reputation is tied to Amorim's success.
The CEO's ambitious declaration was met with disbelief by some staff members when he outlined his timeline for reaching the top. Within weeks, the club dismissed Ten Hag, just a few months after extending his contract and providing him with a £200million transfer budget. Berrada, who was recruited from rival club Manchester City, was the main advocate for hiring Amorim despite sporting director Dan Ashworth's warnings that the squad would need to be overhauled to suit the Portuguese manager's style of play.
Ruben Amorim gestures on the touchline during the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, first leg match at the Reale Arena in San Sebastian, Spain
Ruben Amorim may need more time to build his squad
Ashworth left the club less than five months after United paid £5m in compensation to lure him from Newcastle. INEOS recognises that another hasty managerial change could result in losing the remaining goodwill of disenchanted fans. They spent £10.4m to dismiss Ten Hag and an additional £11m in compensation to hire Amorim.
Concerns about failing the Premier League's PSR meant that United could only afford to purchase Lecce's £25m wing-back Patrick Dorgu and young Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven during a January transfer window that saw Marcus Rashford, Antony and Tyrell Malacia depart on loan. The permanent exits of these three players, coupled with the potential obligation for Chelsea to pay £20m for Jadon Sancho, would help alleviate the pressure of servicing debts amounting to £773 million.
An additional £315m is due in outstanding transfer fees. United also hopes to find a club for Casemiro, while Christian Eriksen's contract is set to expire. Promising young talents such as 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 the match against Arsenal at Old Trafford, having 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 succeeded because they were integrated into a team already filled with experienced winners.