Ruben Amorim has raised eyebrows by publicly criticising his Manchester United players, calling them the “worst in the club’s history” and saying they deserved to be booed
Matthijs de Ligt has praised Ruben Amorim for his straight-talking approach during a miserable campaign at Manchester United. United finished 15th in the Premier League and lost the Europa League final against Tottenham to ensure one of their worst ever seasons.
Things got even more farcical after the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, as United headed out to the Far East on a two-game tour. They suffered the embarrassment of losing to an ASEAN All-Stars side in Kuala Lumpur, before coming from a goal down to beat Hong Kong.
Amorim has won just 16 of his first 42 competitive games in charge since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November. His first six months at the club has been a massive disappointment and United are now braced to tear apart their squad in pursuit of improvements next season.
But despite their struggles on the pitch, Amorim has won over summer signing De Ligt through his work in press conferences. The Portuguese coach said his side were “probably the worst in Manchester United history” in January before calling them “chokers” who deserved to be booed after losing in Malaysia.
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“I’m from Holland so I like it,” De Ligt said. “I can understand the media are in shock because normally this doesn’t happen.
“But I think you can also be really happy that finally someone speaks out, says what he thinks and speaks the truth. I really appreciate him in our conversations personally. It gives me a feeling I can trust him and he can trust me.”
Amorim arrived at Old Trafford with a stellar reputation, having won two leagues and two cups with Sporting, but it hasn’t gone to plan at United. The 40-year-old inherited Ten Hag’s squad and has managed to connect with them, according to De Ligt, who joined for £42million from Bayern Munich last summer.
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“I’ve experienced many managers and he’s one of the most easy to talk to as a player,” he said. “He’s really into details. Before signing new players, first he’s looking at the culture, what needs to change and what can be improved to become a better football club. From next season we will see more of that.
“I think he wants to build a team of players who are together, fighting for each other and making the most out of what they have. Maybe before, you had the best players, but you’re not a team.”
After getting the post-season tour done, Amorim is already looking ahead to next season. “Of course, to spend time with my family,” he said after the game in Hong Kong. “But, like I said in the press conference, I am ready to start the next one.
“We have a lot to do. A lot to prepare. We have to think of the squad and we are changing building. It needs to be that everything is ready for the new season.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
