Say what you will about Ruben Amorim, the Manchester United manager has never pulled any punches when speaking about the current situation at Old Trafford.
Indeed, over the past 10 months, Ruben Amorim has spoken a lot about suffering, struggling and ultimately just how poor his team have been at times.
Amorim has been criticised by some, and his results have largely been terrible.
The Portuguese manager has been at it again this week, claiming that his team are not equipped to play European football right now.
“I think we were not prepared to play Europe,” he said. “That is my feeling; to have strong games in the Champions League and to play Premier League we need time to develop as a team.
“I said last season we need time to prepare for every game. The games are really competitive and we need to build our base and then to perform. And then in the future we need to have Europe for everyone to play games.”
However, after watching the Champions League qualifiers, Richard Keys couldn’t help but disagree with this sentiment.
Ruben Amorim managing Manchester United
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Richard Keys disagrees with Ruben Amorim sentiment
Keys shared his verdict on Amorim’s comments about not being ready to play in Europe.
The BeIN Sports anchor questioned the Manchester United boss, pondering why he keeps putting his own team down.
Keys, rightly, points out that United have spent over £200m this summer, and, what’s more staggering is that this team cost over £1bn to put together, and yet, Amorim doesn’t think his side is capable of playing in Europe.
Manchester United squad cost
Amorim doesn’t believe his team is ready for European football, but given how much this team cost to assemble, it really should be.
Indeed, the cost of putting this team together is staggering.
Player Signed From Year Transfer Fee
André Onana Inter Milan 2023 £47m
Altay Bayındır Fenerbahçe 2023 £4m
Leny Yoro Lille 2024 £59m
Matthijs de Ligt Bayern Munich 2024 £43m
Harry Maguire Leicester City 2019 £80m
Lisandro Martínez Ajax 2022 £56m
Ayden Heaven Arsenal (academy) 2025 £1m
Patrick Dorgu Lecce 2025 £29m
Luke Shaw Southampton 2014 £27m
Tyrell Malacia Feyenoord 2022 £13m
Diego León Cerro Porteno 2025 £6m
Diogo Dalot Porto 2018 £19m
Noussair Mazraoui Bayern Munich 2024 £13m
Manuel Ugarte Paris Saint-Germain 2024 £42m
Casemiro Real Madrid 2022 £70m
Kobbie Mainoo Academy — £0
Bruno Fernandes Sporting CP 2020 £47m
Mason Mount Chelsea 2023 £55m
Alejandro Garnacho Atlético Madrid (youth) 2020 ~£0.4m
Jadon Sancho Borussia Dortmund 2021 £73m
Bryan Mbeumo Brentford 2025 £65m
Amad Diallo Atalanta 2021 £37m
Antony Ajax 2022 £85m
Matheus Cunha Wolves 2025 £63m
Benjamin Šeško RB Leipzig 2025 £74m
Rasmus Højlund Atalanta 2023 £72m
Joshua Zirkzee Bologna 2024 £37m
Meanwhile, as Keys says, teams such as Bodo/Glimt, Olympiacos and Kairat Almaty are all playing Champions League football despite operating on much smaller budgets.
Are Manchester United ready to win the Champions League? Of course they aren’t, but they certainly have a squad capable of dealing with European football.