Ruben Amorim urges caution as Manchester United’s revival gains momentum

Ruben Amorim remains too experienced to get carried away by Manchester United’s recent upturn in form, or by the renewed optimism surrounding Old Trafford, Sport360NG reports.

When asked about his side’s resurgence this month, the Portuguese coach offered a sharp reminder: “You said it, three weeks.”

Just three weeks ago, Amorim was reportedly under pressure ahead of a league clash with Sunderland, who have since beaten Chelsea and established themselves in the Champions League places. At the time, whispers circulated that defeat could cost the United boss his job.

Club officials dismissed those suggestions behind the scenes, and minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe later rejected them publicly.

That game proved to be a turning point. United secured a routine home win, the kind that once defined the Sir Alex Ferguson era, and followed it up with a landmark victory at Anfield, their first against Liverpool on Merseyside since 2016. Their 4-2 triumph over Brighton, another side that has repeatedly frustrated them in recent years, completed a three-match winning streak that lifted Amorim’s team to fourth in the Premier League table with a positive goal difference.

For a club that has endured nearly a year of turbulence, it feels like a genuine corner has been turned. Amorim, though, isn’t letting anyone get ahead of themselves.

“The team is playing much better since the start of this season compared to last,” he said. “But you said everything, it was three weeks ago. It can change again in the next three weeks.”

Ratcliffe watched on from the stands at Old Trafford as United recorded their third straight win, only the second such sequence under Amorim and their first league treble since February 2024, when Erik ten Hag was still in charge.

Whether Ratcliffe truly believes Amorim deserves “three years” to shape his project, as he once suggested, remains open to interpretation. But the signs suggest the Ineos chief is backing his manager’s long-term vision.

“I never felt embarrassed about what we were doing, even when we weren’t winning,” Amorim explained. “Jim always believed in the process. It’s more about the fans, facing them is different now. But I know how quickly football changes. One bad week can undo everything.”

Signs of Real Progress

Beyond the rhetoric, there’s substance to United’s improvement. Home victories against Sunderland and Brighton, both of whom have beaten Chelsea this season, underline genuine progress.

New summer arrivals Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, signed for a combined £130m, have added fresh energy to United’s attack. Both were on target against Brighton, with Cunha opening his account for the season and Mbeumo taking his tally to five.

“Matheus grows with the challenge, he thrives under pressure,” Amorim said. “He defends well, and when he’s confident, I have no worries. Bryan is a machine. His work rate and connection with Amad [Diallo] are fantastic. He wanted to come here no matter what, and we had to make that happen.”

While Amorim’s system is now better matched to his squad, his improvements run deeper. Young Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens has brought calmness to a position that previously caused anxiety under André Onana and Altay Bayındır. He will make mistakes, but crucially, he doesn’t radiate panic.

At the back, Matthijs de Ligt is quietly leading by example, while captain Bruno Fernandes marked his 300th United appearance with another tireless display, denied a goal only by a fine save from Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen.

Casemiro, too, looks rejuvenated. Restored to Brazil’s captaincy by Carlo Ancelotti, the veteran midfielder delivered a goal and an assist against Brighton, a reminder of his enduring class after months of struggle.

“Everyone should look at Casemiro,” Amorim said. “At one point, he was behind every midfielder, even Toby [Collyer]. But he worked, fought, and earned his place back, and now he’s back in the national team. Football changes fast.”

A Timely Opportunity

United’s early EFL Cup exit at Grimsby, humiliating at the time, may yet prove a blessing. With no European fixtures to congest their calendar, Amorim’s side have long stretches between matches to prepare properly. They’ll have a full week before visiting Nottingham Forest, and another before facing Tottenham.

As the manager put it, “We have to make the most of this moment.”

For Ratcliffe, the club’s minority owner, United’s recent upturn will be a welcome relief after his £1bn-plus investment. There remains plenty of work to do, but finally, the club feels like it’s moving in the right direction, and not just at senior level.

Earlier the same day, United’s academy side maintained their 100% record in Premier League 2 with a seventh straight win, capped by a stunning goal from Paraguayan forward Diego Leon.

If Ratcliffe had seen that performance, he might think twice before criticising United’s youth system again.

For now, though, Amorim’s message is simple: progress is real, but fragile. And he’s determined not to let it slip.