Ruben Amorim is very optimistic about the progress at Manchester United. The manager has high expectations for new signings Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, who, with their personalities, also embody what Amorim demands from the team that finished fifteenth in the Premier League last season.
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Manchester United’s pre-season preparations are well underway, and the atmosphere surrounding the squad has taken on a notably more positive tone compared to the uncertainty that plagued much of last season.
Speaking from the team’s training camp in Chicago, head coach Rúben Amorim addressed supporters through the club’s official media channels, offering insights into the current state of the team and projecting a hopeful message about what lies ahead.
“The group is very good,” Amorim stated with conviction. “Last season I already said that we could achieve much more with our players. Now, with the additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, we’ve secured two players who are not just talented footballers but also exemplary characters. They’re everything we were looking for—good people and good players. Things are going well.” His words weren’t just a cliché pep talk; they reflected the visible shift in team spirit and commitment during the early stages of the pre-season campaign.
Amorim, who took over the reins from Erik ten Hag last November amidst turbulence and declining form, has gradually begun to shape the club in his image. The Portuguese coach, who built his reputation at Sporting CP through bold tactics, youth development, and strong leadership, appears to be slowly bringing that same ethos to Old Trafford. At the heart of this transformation is what he calls a long-overdue cultural reset.
“Last season, I had to micromanage everything. Every new player had to be integrated by me personally, step by step. But this summer, it’s different,” he explained. “Now, when a player arrives, there’s already a structure in place players who take the lead and set the tone. We’ve built a leadership core in the dressing room. That’s a major step forward.”
Amorim pointed out subtle but meaningful behavioral changes among the players that symbolize this cultural evolution. “Before, training would end and guys would go their separate ways grab something to eat and leave right away. Now they wait for each other, they talk, they review the session. That sense of togetherness was missing. Now, we actually have to push them off the training ground when it’s time to stop. They want to keep going. That’s the kind of hunger we need.”
This shift in mentality comes at a crucial moment for United. The new Premier League campaign begins on August 17 with a high-stakes home fixture against long-time rivals Arsenal. The schedule doesn’t get any easier from there: a Manchester derby against City awaits in Round 4, followed immediately by a tough encounter with Chelsea. Such a demanding start to the season could be a make-or-break stretch for Amorim, who knows that the club’s loyal but restless fanbase expects immediate results.
“The fans have been incredibly patient, and I’m grateful for that,” Amorim acknowledged. “But I know how this works if we start badly, the pressure will rise fast. That’s why we’ve been working so hard this summer to be ready from day one.”
Despite a rocky start to his United tenure, Amorim seems to have earned more leeway than many of his predecessors. His job security remains surprisingly intact considering the team’s struggles last season, and he’s the first to recognize how unusual that is in the high-stakes world of elite football.
“Think about it how many managers have lost as many games as I have with a club this size and haven’t been sacked?” he said candidly. “I honestly can’t think of any. If that’s not support, then I don’t know what is. The board has shown faith in me, and I intend to repay it.”
Amorim also spoke about how last season’s hardships became a personal learning curve. “I’ve made mistakes, no doubt. The Premier League is unforgiving, and I had to adapt fast. But I believe those challenges have made me stronger. I’ve reflected, adjusted, and surrounded myself with the right people. This season, we’ll be different not just in how we play, but in how we respond to adversity.”
A significant part of that change, Amorim noted, lies in the club’s recruitment strategy. “We didn’t just look for players who could add flair or goals we looked for players who fit our values. Matheus Cunha brings relentless energy, a team-first mentality, and a sharp instinct in the final third. Bryan Mbeumo adds versatility, leadership, and composure. These are the types of characters who can change a dressing room.”
While expectations remain high and the pressure immense, Amorim’s message was clear: this is a new Manchester United humbler, hungrier, and built on stronger foundations. Whether that will be enough to bring the club back to the upper echelons of English football remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Amorim is determined to lead from the front and make the most of the rare trust he’s been given.
Updated: 11:22, 3 Aug 2025
