Sir Jim Ratcliffe's project at Manchester United has taken a major hit with his plan to regain the Premier League title by 2028 proving to be a tougher task under Ruben Amorim's current form
14:44, 08 Mar 2025Updated 14:45, 08 Mar 2025
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Southampton FC at Old Trafford on January 16, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Sir Jim Ratcliffe's Manchester United project has taken a major hit(Image: Ash Donelon, Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United chiefs might have to shelve their ambitious 'Project 150' after coming to terms with the fact that manager Ruben Amorim will need years to mould a squad capable of challenging for Premier League glory.
Upon his arrival last summer, chief executive Omar Berrada revealed that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe had his eyes set on clinching the title by 2028, coinciding with United's 150th anniversary.
However, the harsh reality of the colossal challenge facing Amorim has dawned on them. The 40-year-old Portuguese is reportedly working "with his hands tied behind his back", as one club insider put it to the Mirror, due to the poor state of the squad he inherited from Erik ten Hag and the club's dire financial position.
Despite expectations not being met under Amorim's leadership, with only 10 victories in 25 matches, there's a growing recognition within Old Trafford's corridors of power that time is essential for Amorim, especially if financial constraints limit his activity in the transfer market.
"Amorim felt he could get more from the current squad when he came in and there have been some encouraging results," the source said as per the Mirror.
"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.
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN - MARCH 6: Coach Ruben Amorim of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League match between Real Sociedad v Manchester United at the Estadio Reale Arena on March 6, 2025 in San Sebastian Spain (Photo by Cesar Ortiz/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Ruben Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford has not begun positively(Image: Soccrates Images, Getty Images)
"It will soon be 12 years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired after winning the last of his 13 Premier League titles. Berrada's reputation is wedded to Amorim succeeding. The chief executive's bold statement of intent was met with incredulity by some staff members when the Frenchman proposed his timeline to the top.
"Within weeks the club had sacked Ten Hag, just a couple of months after handing him a contract extension and a £200million transfer kitty.
"It was Berrada, the executive recruited from rivals Manchester City, who was the driving force behind the appointment of Amorim - despite warnings from sporting director Dan Ashworth that the squad would have to be revamped to fit the Portuguese's playing philosophy.
Omar Berrada
Manchester United chief executive Omar Berrada previously revealed Ratcliffe planned to land the Premier League title by 2028(Image: PA)
"Ashworth followed Ten Hag out of the club less than five months after United paid £5million in compensation to prise him away from Newcastle. INEOS are fully aware that if they make another knee-jerk managerial change they risk losing the dwindling goodwill of disillusioned fans. It cost them £10.4 million million to sack Ten Hag and another £11 million in compensation to appoint Amorim."
Concerns over breaching the Premier League's PSR meant United could only afford to sign Lecce's £25 million wing-back Patrick Dorgu and young Arsenal defender Ayden Heaven during a January window that saw Marcus Rashford, Antony and Tyrell Malacia depart on loan. The permanent exits of these three players, coupled with the £20million obligation fee from Chelsea for Jason Sancho, will help alleviate the pressure of debts totalling £773 million.
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An additional £315 million is still owed in outstanding transfer fees. United also aim to find a new home for Casemiro while Christian Eriksen is out of contract at the end of the season.
Promising youngsters 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 the clash with Arsenal at Old Trafford after progressing through 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 squad already brimming with experienced winners.