Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has revealed the emotional toll of last season’s disastrous campaign, admitting he often headed to matches with a deep sense of dread.
Speaking to reporters during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, Amorim opened up for the first time about the mental strain of managing what turned out to be United’s worst season since their relegation in 1973-74.
The club finished 15th in the Premier League — their lowest league position since 1989-90 — and endured a painful Europa League final loss to Tottenham in Bilbao.
Amorim, who stepped in after Erik ten Hag was dismissed in November 2024, managed only seven wins from 27 league games.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has revealed the emotional toll of last season’s disastrous campaign, admitting he often headed to matches with a deep sense of dread
|PA
Yet it wasn’t the aftermath of losses that unsettled him the most.
"To tell you the truth, it's not how I returned to my house after the games, it was how I left to go to the games, because I felt that sometimes we will struggle," Amorim said.
"All the struggles we had in games, I felt it before. That was the hardest part.
"To go to the games and know that we are not going to be competitive - I was really frustrated."
Despite the gloom of last season, Amorim now says his outlook has shifted. He's become more pragmatic in his approach, and sees reasons for optimism.
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“I have a less romantic view of my job now,” he said, while also insisting that signs of progress are giving him genuine hope for the season ahead.
During last year’s slump, Amorim was often criticised for being too rigid in his tactics. He now sees the consistency in his standards as a strength.
"Sometimes, when you are losing, you might think let's change the standards a little bit for them [the players] to be with me," he explained.
"I didn't - and they saw it. Now they understand when I say something, I will do it."
He continued: "I don't treat the players as babies. But they have rules now and that can change the way you train.
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Man United boss Ruben Amorim has admitted he dreaded matchdays during his first season at Old Trafford
| REUTERS"I'm always on top. If you don't train in the right way, I have footage to show you. And I show you in front of everybody."
To reinforce those standards, Amorim has created a leadership group featuring Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Tom Heaton, Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martinez and new signing Noussair Mazraoui.
Their role: enforce discipline in the dressing room and handle minor issues before they escalate.
Still, Amorim admits there were moments last season when he questioned his decision to leave Sporting Lisbon mid-season — a club where he was revered — to take on one of football’s toughest jobs.
He didn’t seek reassurance from the United hierarchy. For him, their continued backing spoke volumes.
"Try to remember one team, one big team that lost so many games and the manager kept their job," he said."You will not find it. That shows more than words that they support me."
Last season, Amorim insisted he wasn’t weighed down by job pressure, instead focusing on rebuilding the squad and restoring direction.
"This is not the moment I felt most pressure in my life," he said.
"I had to finish my career as a player really quickly because of the injuries.
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| PA"I remember me and my wife had an Excel spreadsheet with all the money that we have and all the things that I need. I want to help my family. I felt the pressure in that time."
“Nowadays, it's more like an ego thing. I want to be manager of Manchester United for a while.
"I took five years to choose this club. I don't want to fail."
When asked how long he hopes to stay at Old Trafford, Amorim didn’t hesitate: "I want to stay 20 [years]. That is my goal. I truly believe in that."