Rebuilding Rome in Red: Why Ruben Amorim's United Is a Work in Progress, not a Crisis

Crisis. Chaos. Collapse. The headlines write themselves when Manchester United stutter and under new manager Ruben Amorim, the media hasn't held back.

While results remain  inconsistent, the narrative has quickly turned toxic, ignoring context, progress, and the reality of a manager thrown into the deep end of a dysfunctional squad mid-season. What Amorim is building at United isn't a finished product, but the early stages of something far bigger. 

Big-game performances, signs of tactical identity, and a growing belief in Europe suggest that  United aren’t spiralling; they’re stabilizing and if given time, Amorim might be the man to bring greatness back to the red side of Manchester. 

Inheriting a broken dressing room and an injury-reddened squad from Erik Ten Hag halfway  through a season was destined to be an uphill battle. This season marked a major turning point  in the club's identity with a change in ownership alongside the lowest point tally after ten games (12) to start a Premier League season. Chaos off the pitch reflected on it. 

With six wins, five draws and nine losses in 20 league games, United’s domestic form has been inconsistent, at times disorganized, low on confidence and lacking cohesion.

However, an unbeaten record in Europe and confident displays versus the big six tell a different story. Amorim appears to be rekindling the club's “big game DNA”, a hallmark of United sides from more dominant eras. While consistency remains a challenge, there are early signs that this United team is once again capable of rising to the occasion when it matters most. 

Managing a club of Manchester United’s stature has never been as straightforward as Sir Alex  Ferguson made it appear. His unprecedented success: including 13 league titles set a standard that has burdened every manager since, leading to struggles in establishing a new identity after Fergie’s departure, often looking like a shadow of their former selves. Yet one thing has remained constant: the demand for silverware.

Since 2013 United have lifted two FA Cups, two League Cups, two Community Shields, and one Europa League title - a trophy Amorim will be eager to reclaim in what could become a defining first few months in charge. 

Success in the Europa League could prove pivotal in building momentum ahead of Amorim’s first full season. Success in the Europa League coupled with a strong finish domestically would not only be a piece of silverware but reinforce the belief in his long-term vision.

With a full pre season and a productive transfer window, Amorim will have the opportunity to fully implement his 3-4-3 system into the players, a tactical style unfamiliar to Manchester United. Early success in Europe combined with internal stability could see a far more competitive United side next season. 

Ultimately, the choice facing Manchester United fans is one of reaction or patience. History  offers clear precedence: a year into his tenure Sir Alex Ferguson was widely criticized and even tipped for the sack. Jurgen Klopp also took charge of Liverpool mid-season, and his early results were initially underwhelming. Over time, the vision and trust from both the club and supporters enabled both men to build dynasties. 

Amorim may not yet be of the same calibre, but like them, he has inherited a fractured squad in transition. Whether he succeeds will depend on one key factor: if the club and fans give him what most managers rarely get in modern football – time!