In the more than 10 years of turmoil since the Sir Alex Ferguson era, 2024 is probably the most turbulent year for Manchester United. From the team officially changing ownership, then changing the coach midway, the plans to build a new stadium, to the overwhelming debt,...
However, what fans see, hear and feel most clearly are the results on the field every week and the scores and achievements on the rankings. After Fergie left office, every year, Man United set another bad record. In more than 2 years in charge, Erik ten Hag created countless bad records that Man United fans have never imagined.
At the end of the 2023-2024 season, disappointment reached its peak for the "Red Devils" and their fans when the team only finished the Premier League in 8th place. Throughout the tournament's era since 1992, the Old Trafford team has never had such a bad end-of-season result. No Champions League, Europa League and even Conference League tickets. For the first time in many years, Europe's top leagues no longer feel the breath of the "Red Devils".
When the disappointment reached its peak, the FA Cup final was considered the only salvation for Ten Hag and his students. Because if they won, they would have the title and a ticket to the Europa League. Before the match, when the opponent was the powerful Man City, even the rumor that Ten Hag would be fired regardless of the result spread very quickly on social networks but was not extinguished by the Man United owners.
However, a surprisingly convincing victory came to the red half of Manchester. Coach Ten Hag and his team proudly lifted the title and looked to a brighter future from the podium of the Wembley stands. The coaching chair has cooled down, new spending approvals have been approved, all seems to be preparing for an explosive 2024-2025 season.
But no, things went back to the way they were. Ten Hag lost game after game in a series of disastrous scenarios. Just a few short months after being extended until 2027, the Dutchman was fired with a brief announcement on the club’s website. Ten Hag left a mess of undefined playing style, uncoordinated players and countless approved financial plans.
Very quickly, an offer that was considered to be beyond calculation was sent by the owners to Ruben Amorim. The young Portuguese strategist is very hot in the transfer market, even being targeted by Jurgen Klopp for the seat he left at Liverpool. However, the offer that had to be answered immediately along with an attractive salary was something the 39-year-old teacher could not refuse.
Amorim arrived with a new hope of youth, vitality and enthusiasm from the field to the stands. However, the cold winds in England were much harsher than the warm sunshine of the familiar Iberian peninsula. The 3-4-3 formation had followed Amorim for 3 months at Man United but was still not effective. Basic mistakes, out of rhythm and the problem of lack of sharpness in the attack. All of these made the first stage of Amorim's revolution to be stormy.
If Jurgen Klopp leaves Anfield and leaves Arne Slot a mansion with many supercars, Erik ten Hag leaves and leaves Ruben Amorim a house that is dilapidated from the inside out. Right now, where will Man United go when they are no longer in the race of the big guys, even at times when the alarm of the red light group below has reached their ears?
So what is Ruben Amorim's goal at Old Trafford now? Is it to get the team back on track, running straight to the championship by 2028 as CEO Omar Berrada has set? Or on the other hand, is it enough for Amorim to just settle in and do what Jose Mourinho did?
The uncertainty about the future of the team is the scariest thing for Man United fans. They look to their arch-rivals Liverpool, who have taken nearly 30 years to return to the top of English football. If they cannot win the Premier League by 2028, Man United will be halfway through their journey without a top domestic title like The Kop.
