Speaking on a money-spinning tour to the Far East, the Manchester United manager admitted their failure to qualify for the Champions League and financial fair play rules will limit their rebuild
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Head Coach Ruben Amorim of Manchester United speaks during a press conference on May 27, 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Ruben Amorim had a sobering admission for Manchester United fans
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
It’s fair to say the alarm bells have been ringing for Ruben Amorim for a while now.
The Manchester United manager began his press conference to promote Tuesday's post season friendly against the mighty ASEAN All-Stars in Kuala Lumpur with an apology after his phone burst into life. “First of all, I want to apologise for the house alarm,” said Amorim. “When I’m away, I like to control my kids!”
Amorim is getting used to saying sorry. Addressing the fans at Old Trafford on the pitch after Sunday’s final-day 2-0 victory over Aston Villa, the Portuguese apologised for their disastrous, trophyless campaign, which saw United finish 15th in the league.
Little wonder he was so keen to close the book on 2024/25, even if it has been extended by United’s money-spinning jaunt to the Far East, with another match in Hong Kong to come on Friday. “It was important to finish the season, we needed to close that chapter,” said Amorim.
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“I closed that chapter, I’m excited, I’m nervous, I want to work towards the next season. I don’t have that feeling to disconnect. I had the feeling to close the season, but now it’s a new season. I don’t need rest.”
There will be precious little time for the United boss to spend on the sunlounger this summer - not when a major rebuild is required. Failure to beat Tottenham in the Europa League final closed the door on the Champions League and with it a potential £100million windfall.
But a £62.5m deal to bring in Wolves forward Matheus Cunha is close to being rubber-stamped, while they continue to be linked with more forwards in the shape of Ipswich’s Liam Delap and Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford. Landing that trio would stretch United’s PSR restrained spending to the limit.
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers acknowledges the fans following the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Brentford FC at Molineux on May 25, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Matheus Cunha will be the first summer signing for Manchester United
And Amorim’s admission they “cannot do much” to improve their squad after their worst campaign since they were relegated in 1974 suggests doing so may currently be beyond their means. Hence why United are ready to listen to offers for any of their players, despite Amorim’s insistence skipper Bruno Fernandes is vital to his plans.
“Omar (Berrada, the chief executive) is here, he can explain better than me,” Amorim said. “We always prepare two plans: one with Champions League, one without Champions League.
“Without Champions League, we don’t need a big squad, we can control the squad in a better way. Then we have a plan that is to bring some new players, of course. But our big plan is to improve the team that we have, is to improve our academy, because I think that is the future. It was the past, so can be the future.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United
Ruben Amorim has insisted that Bruno Fernandes remains in his plans
“It’s not going to change so much because we have the financial fair play rules. We are not allowed to do much this summer, even with Champions League, so we are prepared for that.
“It’s important to stick together. We are going to struggle, it is not going to be everything right away but I have a feeling and I see the team improving and that is the most important thing.”
A leaner, meaner squad is the plan. And Amorim once again claimed the lack of European football may prove to be a blessing in disguise.
“I have to say that for us not to be in the Champions League could be an advantage to perform well, to perform better, to prepare better for the games, to build that work that we need for the future,” he reasoned. "I think it’s a good thing for us to take advantage, not to have European games.”
He better be right, otherwise those alarm bells will soon become too loud to ignore.
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