Is managing Manchester United the impossible job? Ruben Amorim faces the challenge of a lifetime

Is Managing Manchester United the Impossible Job? Ruben Amorim Faces the Challenge of a Lifetime

It was a cold February night in 2014 at the Karaiskakis Stadium when Ed Woodward, then Manchester United’s chief executive, leaned forward in the directors’ box to snap a picture of the scoreboard. Olympiacos were leading United 2-0 in the Champions League, and Woodward wanted a stark reminder of how far the club had fallen in the first year without Sir Alex Ferguson. That photo was supposed to symbolize a low point never to be repeated. Yet, here we are, a decade later, and that night in Greece feels less like an anomaly and more like a recurring theme in Manchester United’s post-Ferguson era.

Since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, United have endured a string of disappointments, punctuated by only a handful of isolated triumphs. Yes, there have been four domestic cups and a Europa League title, but Ferguson remains the last United manager to win the Premier League or Champions League. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag, and now Ruben Amorim have all tried—and failed—to restore United to their former glory.

A Decade of Struggles

Ruben Amorim, the latest man tasked with reviving the sleeping giant, has already faced skepticism from fans and pundits alike. Many believe the job has become impossible. The demands are too high, the pressure too intense, and the gap between United and their rivals too wide. Even Amorim himself acknowledged the enormity of the task during his first press conference before United’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town.

“Call me naive, but I truly believe I am the right guy in the right moment,” Amorim said. “I could be wrong, but the earth will still turn, the sun will rise again. It doesn’t matter. I’m not worried about that. I truly believe I’m the right guy for this job.”

But is anyone truly the “right guy” for a job that has chewed up and spat out some of the most accomplished managers in football?

Structural Overhaul

Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival as co-owner in February, Manchester United have focused on restructuring the club. Key appointments like Omar Berrada as CEO, Dan Ashworth as sporting director, and Jason Wilcox as technical director have brought hope that the club is finally set up for success. It’s a stark contrast to the Ferguson era, where the legendary manager was the beating heart of the club for 27 years, winning 13 English league titles, three Champions Leagues, and 19 other domestic trophies.

“He was an absolute phenomenon,” one source told ESPN. “Sir Alex leaving was a seismic event for the club. Every single person had been marching behind a pied piper. Everyone was utterly embedded in everything he was doing and saying and bought into it completely.”

Without Ferguson, the cracks in United’s foundation became glaringly obvious. It wasn’t until 2021 that the club appointed its first football director and technical director, a move that came years too late compared to their rivals.

The Pressure to Win

At Manchester United, the expectation isn’t just to win—it’s to win everything. As Ryan Giggs put it, “When United lose one game, it’s bad. Two is a disaster, and three? Forget about it.”

Amorim has already felt the weight of the spotlight. “This week I spoke more than in four years at Sporting,” he said after the Ipswich draw. “I just want to work with my players, nothing more, but I understand that it’s a different game here.”

United’s struggles over the past decade have drawn comparisons to Liverpool’s 30-year title drought after the departure of Kenny Dalglish. Back in 2013, United’s hierarchy laughed off the idea that they could suffer a similar fate. Yet, here we are, still waiting for the club to reclaim its place at the top of English football.

What Success Looks Like

For most clubs, two FA Cups, two League Cups, and a Europa League title in a decade would be considered a success. But not at Manchester United. Not when Ferguson’s reign included 13 league titles, two Champions Leagues, and a host of other trophies. At Old Trafford, anything less than winning the Premier League or Champions League is seen as failure.

Even when managers like Van Gaal, Mourinho, and Ten Hag delivered silverware, it wasn’t enough. Mourinho and Solskjaer both finished second in the Premier League but were still shown the door. The bar at United is set impossibly high, and Amorim will have to clear it while also playing the kind of attacking, entertaining football that fans demand.

The Weight of the Shirt

It’s not just managers who feel the pressure. Players, too, have struggled to live up to the club’s storied history. The No. 7 shirt, once worn by legends like George Best, Eric Cantona, and Cristiano Ronaldo, has become a burden. Strikers are compared to Wayne Rooney and Denis Law, while defenders are held to the standard of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

“It’s always going to take mentality,” said Chris Armas, who worked under interim coach Ralf Rangnick. “Not every player can play and thrive at that club. It’s big pressure. It’s not just about individual quality. It’s about courage and personality.”

Is It the Impossible Job?

Despite the challenges, there’s hope that Amorim can succeed where others have failed. With a revamped structure, better recruitment, and a more defined role, the 39-year-old has a chance to build something special. But success won’t come overnight. As Frans Hoek, a former member of Van Gaal’s staff, put it, “If it takes two years, it takes two years. If it takes four years, it takes four years. You have to be realistic.”

For now, the question remains: Is managing Manchester United the impossible job? Ruben Amorim is about to find out.