Ruben Amorim is wearing a much brighter smile these days. The Manchester United manager seems truly at ease, a big shift from how he looked at the end of last season. Sure, good pre-season game results help, but a lot of quiet, hard work behind the scenes has made all the difference. There’s a totally new vibe buzzing around the club.
Talking to the Red Devils’ official channels, the Portuguese coach praised his players’ attitude during this preparation phase. He pointed out big changes across the club. Everything from athlete nutrition to how committed everyone is has shifted. Amorim also highlighted the importance of new faces: Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Diego León. He called them players “with character,” a trait he clearly values. He even shared a bit about his family vacation, organized by his wife, and how his summer was busy on the phone but still refreshing.
The feeling around the pre-season camp has been fantastic. It’s not just the results, but how the team has been playing. That style helps build player confidence. The squad itself is also a special bunch. “I said it last year, and I still believe we can achieve so much more with these same players,” Amorim shared. “But we also need to recognize the crucial work done behind the scenes to bring in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Diego León.” He emphasized that they did their homework on these guys, speaking with people who played with them. That research paid off because these players are showing everything the club hoped for. “They are wonderful people and top-notch players,” Amorim stated. “It feels like we are in a really good place right now.”
Ruben Amorim held back on exactly what he thinks of Matheus Cunha in public. But it’s clear the forward is vital to the team right now. Cunha’s mood affects the whole atmosphere; even when he’s down, it can be a good thing. “Especially after a tough game or a loss, he’s a completely different person,” Amorim noted. Cunha brings skills that were missing last season, and Amorim is thrilled with him and all the new additions. The coach works hard with the team, and their response has been a reflection of his own efforts. “After all, they are my mirror,” he said. He’s most pleased when the team plays well. Sometimes, though, you can do some things right and still play poorly overall. “But I truly feel the players are giving their all, and that makes me very happy.”
The team dinners, for example, are a world apart. “Yes, it’s true,” Amorim confirms, “the atmosphere is completely different.” Everyone is talking, and players actually stick around after they finish eating. “They are these small details that certainly won’t win games, but they will help us in the games,” he explained. Before, players would eat and just leave as soon as they were done. Now, they wait for each other, staying at the table longer than before. “Everything is simply getting better,” Amorim observed.
And it’s not just meal times. Players are also putting in extra work after training. “Yes, it’s true,” Amorim added, “we actually have to push players off the field now because it’s a recovery day!” That’s a fantastic sign. Just yesterday, the players who didn’t play in the last game had a really excellent training session. “These kinds of small details are hugely important for the team’s progress,” he affirmed.
Even on vacation, it’s tough for a manager to switch off. Amorim’s summer break was “perfect,” he said, even the weather cooperated. His wife handled all the planning, which was a huge help. “Of course we can never switch off [from football],” he admitted. He was still glued to his phone, chatting with Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada. They explored new ideas and focused on changing the club’s infrastructure. The goal was to sort out all the small details. “We want players to feel like this is truly a fresh start,” he said. It was a summer packed with work, but also a chance to recharge.
Before pre-season kicked off, Amorim felt sure of things. He already knew exactly what to do, the first steps, and what they needed to achieve in that very first training session. That clarity gave him instant confidence. Matheus Cunha joined them right away. The club already had a clear picture of the kind of group they wanted to build. Still, the pressure is always there. “This year,” he stated simply, “we simply cannot afford to fail.”
It’s not just the coaches and players who can change; people throughout the club can too. Amorim believes this is happening right now. “We can already feel it,” he said. “The atmosphere around the club is simply different.” Of course, results often drive things, but everyone involved clearly understands their daily, demanding work. “Everything is moving in the right direction to get better,” he confirmed.
Amorim admits it’s hard to talk about these changes without sounding like he’s criticizing last year. But they’ve grown in every small detail. For instance, how they organize their daily work has improved. Nutrition is better too, from what they cook to what they eat. The way they prepare for training is more organized now. He feels they have people in place who help them be better. “Now I’m not worried about all the small details, and last year I was,” he explained. That frees him up to think more about the game and the team. “It’s a huge help for me,” he said. When it’s a huge help for all the staff, then it’s also a huge help for the players. The players are also working incredibly well. They get it: they have to give 100 percent, or things will be tough for them. “I know it might seem early, but I feel that now, if someone new joins the group, I don’t have to fight all the battles,” he stated. “That’s something I felt last season. Now I sense a strong group, with leaders inside it, ready to help me with any new challenges.”
When Amorim first arrived, he promised that fans would at least see an “idea” of his philosophy. Did that happen last year? “You saw the positions on the field, some things,” he explained. “And I believe you could sort of understand what we tried to do.” But he admits that the full vision wasn’t clear, and that was frustrating for everyone, especially for him. Now, fans can see a bit more, partly because the new players bring different skills. He also reminds people that for the last three months of last season, they were managing many players. They had to perform well and win in the Premier League, but their focus was also on the Europa League. It was tough at times. They had some injuries, but Amorim dislikes using excuses. “We didn’t do our job last season,” he stated simply. “We have to do it this year.”
The signings of Matheus and Bryan mark a turning point for how Manchester United will operate going forward. “It’s not just about how they play—something that is certainly important—but character is very important,” Amorim emphasized. It took a long time to truly get to know these players and talk with everyone before bringing them into the squad. “And, from now on, that will be a kind of rule for us,” he declared. Sometimes, you need to look back and understand what led to past successes. Football is always changing, but there are lessons from history. When the team plays at Old Trafford and puts on a good show, like against Real Sociedad, Amorim can feel the excitement from everyone in the stands. He believes the fans deserve players like Matheus and Bruno, players who can lift the Old Trafford experience to a whole new level.
The support from the fans means the world to Amorim. Old Trafford is a special place. He has said it before, but hearing fans say he’s doing a great job, especially after last season, is truly important to him. He knows that results often dictate everything in football. “But I genuinely feel the support from our supporters, and I want to give back everything to them,” he stressed. “It’s crystal clear in my mind.” Try to find another coach who lost many games and still kept his job; you won’t find one. “If that isn’t support, then I don’t know what that means,” he said. “I won’t change, as you should already know. I learned a massive amount last season, and I believe we will be much better this season.”
Last year, Amorim also spoke about “better days” ahead. Does he still believe that? “Yes,” he says, “of course we’ll have good days and bad days.” But based on everything he’s discussed, from the club’s new organization to the focus on bringing in players with strong character, he believes it. “All of this is the club’s doing, not just the coach’s,” he clarified. Manchester United, even with Champions League or Europa League, generates income across the board. So, Amorim believes they have all the tools needed to be at the very top. “I’m not worried about that; I’m only worried about winning games and being a part of this as long as possible.”
The new Carrington training facility will definitely help the team. “I was very happy when we left the building we used last season,” Amorim shared. It represents a fresh start, with new standards. He has no doubt the players will feel this is a new beginning for everyone. The timing is spot on for all these changes. “But the best part of all this is that we are all aligned on what we have to do,” he concluded. “And now, we only have to worry about winning games. Our performances on the field will be key to making that happen.”