Ruben Amorim Reacts to Dan Ashworth’s Sudden Exit from Manchester United
PLZEN, Czechia — The football world was rocked this week as Manchester United’s sporting director, Dan Ashworth, made a surprise exit from the club, leaving fans and pundits alike scrambling for answers. Ruben Amorim, United’s newly appointed manager, didn’t shy away from addressing the situation, admitting that Ashworth’s departure is “not the best situation.” However, Amorim remains confident that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s long-term vision for the club is still intact.
For those who may not recall, Ashworth was brought in with much fanfare back in July. Ratcliffe himself had championed Ashworth’s arrival, calling him a key piece of the puzzle in United’s rebuilding efforts. But just five months later, Ashworth is out, leaving behind a role that reportedly cost the club over £3 million ($3.8 million) to secure from Newcastle. Now, technical director Jason Wilcox is stepping up to lead recruitment efforts as the January transfer window looms large.
Speaking publicly for the first time since the news broke, Amorim shared his thoughts on the sudden shake-up. “The first thing I want to say is that since the first day, I felt great support from the ownership, from [CEO] Omar [Berrada], from Jason, and Dan was part of that,” Amorim said. “But this is football, and sometimes this happens. It happens with players and with coaches. I know it’s not the best situation, but the important thing is we continue in our way. The path is really clear for everybody, and I think this can happen in football.”
Amorim’s calm demeanor and focus on the bigger picture are exactly what United fans need right now. “I felt since day one the support from everybody. One person leaving doesn’t change anything. The most important thing is the vision is really clear, and that doesn’t change if one person leaves,” he added.
What’s Next for Manchester United?
With Wilcox now at the helm of United’s recruitment team, the club is reportedly open to offers for several first-team players in January. According to sources, this move is aimed at raising funds to reinvest in the squad, a strategy that could prove crucial as Amorim continues to evaluate his roster.
Amorim, who is just a month into his tenure at Old Trafford after succeeding Erik ten Hag, has already made it clear that he’s not afraid to make tough decisions. The 39-year-old has been rotating his squad in his first five games to get a closer look at his players, but he’s also issued a stern warning: perform or leave.
“We have to focus on what we have, we have to focus on the academy and to have a clear profile of the players,” Amorim explained. “You can see at set pieces, sometimes you look at our team, we are a small team compared to others. Every detail counts, and we have to be very clear in the profiles, arrange all the process, and go to that phase of buying and selling players.”
He didn’t mince words about the stakes at a club like Manchester United. “We have international players, good players. We need time to teach them our ideas, and then we will see because this is a massive club. If we don’t win, the coach goes, the player goes, so you have to know that,” he said. “We have to improve as a team, we have to arrange a lot of things in our club before thinking just in buying or selling players.”
Europa League Challenge Awaits
Amorim and his squad are currently in Czechia, preparing for a crucial Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen on Thursday. United are desperate for a win, as they haven’t secured an away victory in Europe since beating Real Betis in April 2023. A positive result would not only boost their chances of qualifying for the round of 16 but also help them avoid a grueling two-legged playoff in February.
However, the task won’t be easy. Viktoria Plzen have been a fortress at home, going unbeaten since March and recently defeating Real Sociedad 2-1 in their last Europa League outing at Doosan Arena. Amorim knows the stakes are high. “It’s really important to go to the next stage,” he said. “If you pass to the next stage without a playoff, we take two games off our schedule. For us, it’s massive. It’s really important to win the game and to play well. Tomorrow will be really, really tough.”
Key Takeaways
- Dan Ashworth’s sudden departure leaves Manchester United in a precarious position just months after his high-profile appointment.
- Technical director Jason Wilcox will now lead recruitment efforts as the January transfer window approaches.
- Ruben Amorim remains focused on the club’s long-term vision and is determined to make tough decisions to improve the squad.
- United face a must-win Europa League match against Viktoria Plzen to boost their chances of advancing without a playoff.
As the dust settles on Ashworth’s exit, all eyes will be on Amorim and his ability to navigate this turbulent period. Can he steady the ship and guide United back to glory? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the pressure at Old Trafford is as intense as ever.
Originally Written by: Rob Dawson
