Ruben Amorim and Manchester United blew past pre-match expectations to not just hold Arsenal to a 1-1 draw, but made them feel glad for it.
Man Utd created the best chances of the game and without David Raya having the game of his life, plus the team missing their shooting boots as always, this would’ve been a win.
Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick gave the team the confidence to have something to hold on to and the performance kept improving from there on.
After the game, Ruben Amorim said he doesn’t want Man Utd to play like this all the time, but his another admission caught the eye of Jamie Redknapp. He became a fan.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Jamie Redknapp on Ruben Amorim
Amorim has been nothing but honest in his five months at the helm of Man Utd. Sometimes, that has forced him to backtrack and clarify but for the most part, it’s been a refreshing change.
It stands in stark contrast to previous Man Utd managers either saying things were good when they obviously weren’t, or shifting the blame to anyone but themselves.
Amorim has balanced that fine line perfectly, and that’s something Redknapp said is commendable about him.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the pundit said that Amorim isn’t “insulting fans’ intelligence”, and his ability to see through the mistakes should see him given more time.
More United News
He said: “I’ve listened to other managers previously, trying to almost insult fans’ intelligence by saying, ‘We played well today’ or ‘We’re showing signs’.
“This guy [Ruben Amorim] understands the team is not of the level it should be. He is well aware and he’s probably the first one who’s actually come out and said it that ‘We’re not good enough’.
“Time is of the essence. You can’t just keep chopping and changing managers every week!”
"This guy understands the team is not of the level it should be"
Jamie Redknapp says the players at Manchester United are not good enough and Ruben Amorim should be given time. pic.twitter.com/8uJOy98P5E
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 9, 2025
View Tweet
Ruben Amorim will get time at Man Utd
Redknapp might not be a United fan but he talks sense here in that acknowledging the existence of a problem is the first step towards solving it.
That’s something Amorim has done which separates him from his predecessors, even if it comes at the cost of some brutally honest takes.
The next will obviously be solving that issue, but the honesty and clarity with which he’s approached the job provides hope that the vision is clear.
Even the two signings made under him – Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven, have proven themselves to be capable of playing to a good standard so there’s hope for recruitment too.
United have needed a vision for a long time and that’s what Amorim has brought to the club.