Manchester United’s Worst Enemy Might Be Themselves
The 2024/25 season has turned toxic for Manchester United. Fans are angry. The performances are dire. The system looks broken. And once again, the manager is in the firing line.
Rúben Amorim arrived at Old Trafford with the reputation of a progressive tactician, having brought Sporting Lisbon back to domestic relevance. But just months into his tenure, supporters are questioning whether he’s the right man for the job.
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: Amorim may not be perfect, but he isn’t the problem.
The problem is INEOS. And they’re making the same mistakes the Glazers made for over a decade.
A Decade of Dysfunction
To understand the current crisis, you have to look at the broader history. Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, Manchester United have cycled through six different managers and spent over £1 billion on transfers. Each new hire came with a new “vision,” and each vision required a massive squad overhaul.
- David Moyes wanted Everton grit.
- Van Gaal wanted Dutch total football.
- Mourinho wanted veteran steel.
- Ole wanted a youthful rebuild.
- Ten Hag wanted technical Ajax-like control.
Each of those visions came with new players and massive spending—only to be torn down by the next regime. United became a graveyard for failed signings and lost identity.
The Missed Opportunity: Dan Ashworth
When INEOS took over football operations, fans finally saw a glimmer of hope. The group promised a new era of professionalism, structure, and long-term thinking. And for a moment, it looked like they got it right.
INEOS aggressively pursued Dan Ashworth, one of the most respected football directors in the Premier League. His record at Brighton and Newcastle spoke volumes. Ashworth wasn’t just a transfer negotiator—he was an architect. The kind of DOF who could define a playing identity and build a sustainable squad blueprint.
But before he ever got the chance to start, he was gone. United moved on. And they appointed Rúben Amorim instead.
It was a decision that sent a clear message: despite the change in ownership, Manchester United were still trying to shortcut their way to success.
The Fatal Flaw: Manager Before Squad
In modern football, elite clubs don’t build around managers. They build around a system. Look at Manchester City, Liverpool, or even Brighton. These clubs define a tactical identity first, then hire a manager to execute that identity. That way, player recruitment stays consistent—and transitions are seamless.
INEOS did the opposite.
They hired a manager with a defined playing style—possession-heavy, high pressing, fluid positional rotation—and dropped him into a squad that’s completely mismatched.
United’s current team has:
- A fragile backline
- No defensive midfield anchor
- Wingers who don’t track back
- Strikers who can’t press
Expecting Amorim to instantly produce results with this squad isn’t just unfair—it’s delusional. You can’t ask a carpenter to build a house without giving him the right tools.
Fans Are Fighting the Wrong Battle
It’s understandable that fans are frustrated. Manchester United are languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League, and even their Europa League run has been inconsistent. When the results are this poor, the manager always takes the heat.
But turning on Amorim is like yelling at the pilot of a plane with no engines. The real issue is the system—and the people in charge of designing it.
When fans defend Amorim, they’re often accused of “making excuses.” But what they’re really doing is calling out the real insanity: repeating the same broken process, expecting different results.
Even £300 Million Won’t Be Enough
Let’s say INEOS open the war chest and give Amorim £300M to spend this summer. What then?
Sure, a few top-tier signings could improve results. But rebuilding an entire squad to match a tactical system in one window? That’s nearly impossible—especially under Financial Fair Play constraints and with United’s inflated wage bill.
And if next season starts slow? Amorim will likely be out the door, just like his predecessors. Another vision gone. Another rebuild needed. Another cycle restarted.
The Way Forward: Structure Over Stars
INEOS must learn fast—or risk becoming the new Glazers 2.0.
What United desperately need is:
- A Director of Football with full control over recruitment and identity
- A multi-year squad plan tied to a long-term style
- Patience to build over time—not short-term results to win headlines
Amorim might still be the right manager. But even the best tacticians in the world can’t work magic with a broken foundation.
Final Thought: Stop the Cycle Before It Kills the Club
Manchester United fans have suffered for years, not because of one manager or one bad transfer, but because the club keeps repeating the same fundamental mistakes.
Until the hierarchy stops prioritizing the next big name and starts focusing on building a real footballing structure, no manager will succeed at Old Trafford.
Amorim isn’t the villain. He’s just the latest victim.
And unless INEOS change course fast, there will be many more.
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