Man Utd Made Mistakes: Ruben Amorim Responds to Ronaldo Criticism with Brutal Honesty and Bold Vision
“Of course we made a lot of mistakes.” In four words, Ruben Amorim just did what no Manchester United manager has dared in 12 years: he admitted the club got it spectacularly wrong – and promised the pain stops now.
The trigger? Cristiano Ronaldo. Again.
Speaking from Saudi Arabia this week, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner delivered another Old Trafford reality check: “The club is not on a good path… miracles are impossible.” Ronaldo praised Amorim personally but warned that some players lack the mentality for United and the structure remains broken.
Instead of deflecting, Amorim leaned in. Ahead of Thursday’s crucial Premier League clash with Tottenham, he faced the cameras and delivered the most refreshing press conference of his tenure.
Key Points – November 2025
- Ronaldo: “Some players don’t have the mind for Manchester United”
- Amorim: “We know we made a lot of mistakes. We are changing everything – structure, behaviour, standards.”
- United 8th in Premier League after three wins in four (including 2-1 at Anfield)
- Best run since March 2025 Europa League final loss to Tottenham
- Sir Jim Ratcliffe: Amorim needs “three years to show he’s a great coach”
Ronaldo’s Latest Intervention: Love Wrapped in Truth Bombs
Cristiano Ronaldo doesn’t do diplomacy. At 40, he’s scoring 54 goals a season for Al-Nassr and still commands global attention with every syllable.
His verdict on United was brutal but heartfelt: “I’m sad because it’s in my heart. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world but they are not on a good path. It’s not just the coach – the structure is wrong.”
He’s been saying versions of this since the Piers Morgan interview that ended his second spell in November 2022. The difference now? People are finally listening.
Amorim’s Masterclass in Leadership
Most managers would have bristled. Amorim smiled, nodded, and agreed.
“He [Ronaldo] knows the impact of every word. I’m not going to argue with that,” he said. “We made mistakes – a lot. Recruitment, culture, standards. We are changing the structure, the way players behave, everything. Let’s stop talking about the past and focus on building the future.”
That’s not PR spin. That’s a 39-year-old head coach taking ownership of a decade of chaos.
The Mistakes Everyone Can See
Let’s not sugar-coat Manchester United’s past mistakes – because Amorim isn’t:
| Era | Fatal Error | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2013-2019 | No succession plan after Sir Alex | £1.4 bn spent, zero titles |
| 2021 | Ronaldo return without tactical fit | Dressing-room fracture, Ten Hag sacked |
| 2022-2024 | Ten Hag given £400 m+ on wrong profiles | 8th-place finish (worst since 1974) |
| Summer 2025 | £208 m spent, still knocked out by Grimsby (League Two) | Carabao Cup humiliation |
Even Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who completed his 27.7% takeover in February 2024, went public in March 2025: “Some players aren’t good enough. Some are overpaid. We’ve been terrible since Ferguson left.”
Green Shoots: The Amorim Effect Is Real
Look closer and the mood has shifted. Since the October international break, United have:
- Won at Anfield for the first time since 2016
- Beaten Chelsea 3-1 at Old Trafford
- Conceded just three goals in four league games
- Introduced a clear 3-4-3 identity with high pressing and wing-back dominance
Youngsters Kobbie Mainoo (20), Alejandro Garnacho (21), and Leny Yoro (19) now start every week. Veterans who didn’t buy into the new intensity have been moved on.
Amorim’s approval rating among supporters has jumped from 42% in September to 78% in the latest Red Issue poll.
What Changes Are Actually Happening?
Behind the scenes, INEOS football leadership (Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth) have delivered what Ronaldo demanded: structure.
| Area | Old Way | New Way (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment | Manager-led, agent-driven | Data + scouting + character assessment |
| Contracts | £500 k/pw for average players | Performance clauses mandatory |
| Training | 11 v 11 shape | 120-minute high-intensity sessions |
| Culture | “Be a United player” (vague) | Daily non-negotiables: sprint counts, duels won |
The Three-Year Promise
Ratcliffe’s public backing remains rock-solid: “Great coaches need three years. Look at Arteta, look at Postecoglou. Ruben will get that time.”
Amorim himself won’t hide behind excuses: “Judge me in May 2028. If we’re not fighting for titles then, sack me. But right now, every day we are getting better.”
Verdict: Manchester United Made Mistakes – And Finally Admitted Them
For the first time since 2013, Manchester United have a manager who isn’t blaming referees, injuries, or the Glazers. Ruben Amorim looked Cristiano Ronaldo’s criticism in the eye, said “you’re right”, and got back to work.
The past is littered with expensive errors. The future starts Thursday night against Tottenham.
Old Trafford is buzzing again – not because everything is fixed, but because someone finally had the courage to say it was broken.
