Ruben Amorim became the first managerial appointment of the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era at Man United in November 2024.
Ratcliffe consoles Amorim after the Europa League final
Ratcliffe consoles Amorim after the Europa League final
Ruben Amorim has revealed Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sends him gifs and that the pair get on as they converse with "no bulls**t".
Amorim became the first United manager to be appointed after Ratcliffe secured a minority stake in the club last November but the club went on to endure their worst season in 51 years, finishing 15th in the Premier League.
Ratcliffe said in March he has such candid conversations with Amorim that "I tell him where it’s going wrong and he tells me to f**k off. I like him".
Amorim confirmed the pair enjoy a warm working relationship, so much so that Ratcliffe WhatsApps him gifs - graphic interchange formats - to lighten the mood.
"We speak on the phone," Amorim said. "He sends me messages, he sends me gifs. You call it gifs? Joking! So we have this kind of relationship.
"I think it's really easy to deal with Jim. Easy in the sense that if you know your stuff, if you know how to explain any decision, you'll be fine with him. If you try to use some bulls**t in big words with him, he's going to knock you.
"So for me it's really easy. I will say whatever I need to say with, of course, a lot of respect, like with everybody, I know that he's the owner of the club, I know my place.
"But when I need to say something, I will say it naturally. With no bulls**t - I can say that - with no bulls**t. I'm not around the subject, I'm really direct. I think it's something that he likes a lot."
United's backing for Amorim is so staunch it partly contributed to the defenestration of Dan Ashworth, who lasted as sporting director for a little over five months. Ashworth was opposed to the choice of Amorim as Erik ten Hag's replacement and favoured a British hire.
Jason Wilcox, previously the technical director, has been promoted to director of football at United with Omar Berrada still the chief executive. Christopher Vivell is the club's director of recruitment and transfer strategy is no longer dictated by the manager, as was largely the case under Ten Hag.
Mbeumo was flanked by Wilcox for his unveiling
Mbeumo was flanked by Wilcox for his unveiling
Amorim claimed the manager should not be the selling point for a new signing and that the "idea of the club" should convince potential recruits. The Portuguese suggested that any manager who replaces him should be grateful to inherit summer signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
"In some moments in the last season, I was more concerned about me than them," Amorim added when asked about Ratcliffe, Berrada and Wilcox. "They always show the support. And if you try to remember one team, one big team, massive team, that lost so many games and the manager kept their job, you will not find it.
"So that shows more than words that they support me. I think it's really important to say to the fans that this is a club thing. Of course, the manager is really important, but all this idea of the culture, how we want to buy players, what kind of players we want, is a club thing.
Mbeumo and Cunha in training in Chicago
Mbeumo and Cunha in training in Chicago
"In the meetings with Bryan, with Cunha, we said that. Don't go to a club because of the manager. Go because of the idea of the club. And they are here because of the idea of the club.
"I'm really happy with the players that we bring. They proved in the Premier League, so I'm not concerned about the physical aspect. If they are fit to play in the Premier League, if they are struggling. I'm really happy with that.
"I'm really happy with the character. And I think it's a good thing. I think it personally, I think Jason and also Omar, that all the players that we want to bring to Manchester, any coach will want them. This is not my style.
"And I can guarantee you, if you bring any manager here, they will say, Bryan, thank you. Matheus Cunha, thank you. And then you have the potential of these kids that are really important for us.
"And when we have a really, really, really strong base, I think it's going to be the core business to bring these really potential guys to fill in the team because it's really hard to buy players."