By Mballa Fabrice
The sense of dread among Manchester United fans has become a familiar feeling. Another season, another managerial change, and yet the same, dispiriting results.
The appointment of Ruben Amorim, championed by the new INEOS regime, was heralded as a new dawn. A young, innovative coach with a clear philosophy, he was supposed to be the man to restore United to their former glory. Instead, what we have seen is a club sinking to new lows, and a growing suspicion that the very people tasked with saving it are instead instilling a “small club” mentality.
Amorim’s record since taking over last November is damning. With just 31 points from 31 Premier League games, his win percentage is the worst of any permanent United manager since World War II. After a recent 3-0 demolition by local rivals Manchester City, the club finds itself in 14th place, a familiar position that led to the sacking of his predecessor, Erik ten Hag, just nine games into last season.
The blame for this malaise is twofold: the stubbornness of the manager and the flawed vision of the new owners.
The Unwavering, Unworkable Philosophy
Amorim arrived with a reputation for a high-pressing, dynamic 3-4-3 formation that brought success at Sporting CP. He has been unwavering in his commitment to this system at Old Trafford, even as results and performances have shown it to be fundamentally unsuited to the players at his disposal. Against teams like Manchester City, the midfield has been repeatedly exposed, a gaping void in the center of the pitch that elite opposition exploits with brutal efficiency.
When asked if he would consider a tactical change, Amorim’s response was defiant and, frankly, alarming for a club of United’s stature. “I am not going to change my philosophy,” he stated. “If they want it changed, you change the man.” This isn’t the kind of flexibility one expects from a coach at the highest level. At a European giant like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, such a statement would be met with immediate dismissal. The best managers adapt; they find a way to win with the tools they have. Amorim’s inflexibility is not a sign of conviction, but a dangerous form of hubris.
His track record is also a cause for concern. While his time at Sporting was celebrated, the context is important. He was operating in a league where there is a clear hierarchy, and the resources and pressure are not on the same scale as at a club like Manchester United. The assertion that INEOS failed to take Nice to the next level to challenge the likes of PSG and Marseille is a valid point of comparison. It suggests a pattern of a leadership team that has yet to demonstrate the ability to compete at the very top.
INEOS and the ‘Small Club’ Mentality
This brings us to INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Their ownership has been sold as a return to big decisions and a ruthless pursuit of excellence. Yet, their actions so far tell a different story. The club’s financial reports reveal that the dismissals of previous staff, including Erik ten Hag, cost over £36 million. Now, a report from the Daily Mail suggests it would cost United another £12 million to sack Amorim. The fear of another expensive severance package appears to be influencing their decision-making.
This is not how “big clubs” operate. Big clubs make big, decisive choices for the long-term success of the team, regardless of the short-term financial hit. Real Madrid, Bayern, and Barcelona have shown time and again they are willing to part ways with managers who are not delivering, no matter the cost, because the pursuit of trophies is paramount. Sticking with a manager who has openly admitted he will not change his failing system, and who holds the worst win record in decades, due to financial concerns is the definition of a small club mentality.
The argument that INEOS are bringing a more measured, long-term approach is failing to hold water. They have inherited a squad in disarray and a manager whose rigid tactical vision is making things worse. The very essence of Manchester United has always been about ambition, about making the tough calls, and about demanding the best. Right now, it looks like a club paralyzed by poor decision-making and a fear of making the “big club” choices that are desperately needed.
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