Ratcliffe backs Amorim for the long haul — three-year project or bust at Man United

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has planted his flag. Despite the bruises of last season and a start that’s hardly set pulses racing, the INEOS chief has publicly thrown his support behind Ruben Amorim, effectively giving the Portuguese coach a clear runway to build Manchester United in his image. In short: Ratcliffe says he’s prepared to give Amorim three more years to make this project fly.

Ratcliffe lays down the timeline

Amorim, appointed late in 2024 to replace Erik ten Hag, inherited a mess and promptly endured United’s worst Premier League season on record in both points and finishing position. Even so, the first major hire of the INEOS era now has explicit backing from the top. His current deal runs to 2027, and Ratcliffe has indicated he’ll stick by his man for the duration — a remarkable show of faith given the present wobble.

It’s a bold call, but there’s logic. United have been trapped in a cycle of reset after reset. Ratcliffe’s view is that consistency in the dugout fosters cohesion in the dressing room — and you can’t argue the Red Devils haven’t looked like a team forever mid-rebuild.

Transfers, wages and the rebuild reality

United did their shopping this summer to sharpen the attack, landing Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo, while Senne Lammens arrived to help soothe those nagging goalkeeping headaches. None of this comes cheap. Amorim is among the world’s top earners on the touchline at around £6.7m per year; three more years would see that top £20m. Backing a manager this publicly isn’t just philosophical — it’s financial.

Results still choppy

Here’s the rub: for all the noise about process and patience, United still haven’t strung together back-to-back league wins under Amorim. That stat alone explains the growing mutterings about potential successors. But for now, the message from the boardroom is clear: stick, don’t twist.

What this means for United

For Amorim, this is both protection and pressure. He has the air cover to embed his ideas properly — structure without the panic, time without the constant threat of the trapdoor. But the expectations don’t vanish. With a refreshed forward line and an owner publicly setting the clock, supporters will want to see a recognisable identity, cleaner patterns in possession, and a defence that doesn’t wobble at the first sign of stress.

If he gets that right, the mood at Old Trafford will turn quickly. If not, even a three-year promise can feel very short indeed in Manchester. For those tracking the market chatter around United’s fortunes, you can always keep an eye on the movers via our best betting sites.

Pundit’s verdict

This is classic stick-or-twist territory, and Ratcliffe has chosen conviction over convenience. Stability is the bet; performances must follow. The ball is squarely at Amorim’s feet now — shape the squad, impose the plan, and finally give United fans something consistent to believe in after years of stutter and churn.

And if you like your football with a side of boardroom intrigue, The Business podcast launches on Thursday 9th October — one to keep in your rotation.