Ruben Amorim Ignores Financial Realities with Latest Man Utd Slam

Amorim Unmoved by Europa League Promise

There are trophies that mask wounds, and then there are those that illuminate them. According to Manchester United’s head coach Ruben Amorim, winning the Europa League this season would be the former: a pleasant distraction from a reality the Portuguese tactician refuses to overlook.

Since arriving at Old Trafford in November with the team languishing in 12th place, Ruben Amorim’s time at the helm has been as turbulent as the club’s wider fortunes. Fast forward six months and United have slumped further down the Premier League table, currently occupying 14th place. Their exits from the Carabao Cup and FA Cup were underwhelming, and their league form has become the subject of ridicule rather than redemption.

Yet despite all that, the Europa League remains within reach. United have one foot in the final after drawing Athletic Club in the semi-finals, and a potential showdown with either Tottenham or Norwegian dark horses Bodo/Glimt awaits. But if anyone expected Ruben Amorim to be energised by the prospect of silverware, they clearly don’t know him very well.

“[Winning a trophy] is not the most important thing,” he said, with a tone that blended honesty and weariness. “People might look at the season differently, especially when evaluating the coach. But this is not just about surface-level success. Our issues are deeper, more structural.”

Financial Boost Won’t Solve Structural Cracks

Ruben Amorim rarely hides his emotions / Carl Recine/GettyImages

Amorim is acutely aware of what a Europa League triumph would bring. Champions League qualification, a revenue injection of up to £100m, and a renewed allure in the transfer market. But he’s not fooled. “Yes, it will give us more money to spend,” he admitted. “But the problems are still there.”

United’s fiscal boost could unlock higher-profile signings and increase squad depth in the short term. However, Ruben Amorim is less concerned with marquee names than with creating a solid foundation. His philosophy remains steadfast: a winning culture is built with consistency, not chequebooks.

“The Champions League can change our summer. It might change the players we’re able to target,” he noted. “But it won’t define our identity. We have to think beyond that.”

Long-Term Vision Over Short-Term Glory

There is something refreshing about a manager who is not seduced by silverware, especially when managing a club of Manchester United’s stature. Ruben Amorim is more interested in turning around the club’s DNA than plastering over its dysfunction with a Europa League medal.

“We need good decisions, smart recruitment, and trust in our academy,” he explained. “This is how we shift the club’s direction. Not just by winning a European competition one season.”

The emphasis on sustainable growth over instant gratification is not new to Ruben Amorim. During his time at Sporting CP, he won the Primeira Liga by putting faith in youth, discipline, and intelligent system-building. He is attempting to replicate a similar transformation at United, but the English behemoth is a different beast entirely.

“This club has potential, but potential means nothing without patience and planning,” he said. “We need to change the minds of our fans, our staff, even our players.”

The Reality of Manchester United’s Rebuild

Manchester United have been a shadow of their former selves for more than a decade. Manager after manager has been tasked with bringing back the glory days, but most have failed to rebuild the structure required to sustain elite performance. Ruben Amorim sees the Europa League as a momentary stopgap, not a solution.

“It’s a shortcut, that’s all,” he repeated. “A way to reach European games next season. But we need to fix our problems in a more fundamental way.”

Amorim’s remarks cut through the noise with unusual clarity. He is not dismissing the value of winning, but rather demanding that Manchester United look in the mirror and confront what they’ve become: a global brand caught between eras, clinging to past glories while chasing future success with shaky foundations.

Champions League or Not, Work Remains

No matter the outcome of their European adventure, Ruben Amorim is staying true to his blueprint. The external pressures to deliver silverware are intense, especially at a club like United, but he remains more focused on planting seeds than picking fruit.

“We will be fine, with or without the Champions League,” he insisted. “This is not about one season, it’s about creating something that lasts.”

There will be critics, of course. Some will argue that success breeds stability, that winning the Europa League could buy Ruben Amorim more time, more trust. But the coach isn’t here for quick fixes.

“Success isn’t just lifting a trophy. It’s about knowing you can do it again next year, and the year after,” he said. “That’s what I want for this club.”

The Verdict: Ruben Amorim Playing the Long Game

It would be easy to label Ruben Amorim’s comments as defeatist. But in reality, they reflect a manager with his eyes set far beyond May. His vision of success doesn’t end with the final whistle of a European final; it begins there.

United’s problems, from inconsistent leadership to erratic recruitment, won’t be solved by one night in Dublin or a lucrative Champions League draw. Ruben Amorim knows this, and rather than pander to temporary applause, he’s rolling up his sleeves for the marathon ahead.

So when the final whistle blows on Manchester United’s Europa League campaign—whether they lift the trophy or not—don’t expect Ruben Amorim to celebrate like it’s job done. For him, the real work will only be beginning.