Ruben Amorim has revealed that he feared the Match Day Drive to Old Trafford last season – because he knew that Manchester United would lose.
In a remarkable and candid recognition of the depths of his frustration, the Portuguese explained how his only thought in the traumatic last months of last season was to “survive” the lowest point of his career until he could bring the summer of change that the club needed.
Asked how he felt in the aftermath of that series Losing when United dived to the bottom of the table, Amorim said: “To tell you the truth, it was not how I returned to my house after the games.
“It was how I left to go to the games – because I knew we would struggle it.
“I felt it before the games.
“So that was the most difficult, the most difficult part, to go to the games and know that we would not be competitive, not how we should be. That was the most difficult part.
“When I got home, I just looked at my family and tried to think in various things. But I was really frustrated.”
Amorim even hinted during those problems that he might run away from work, although he now says that that would have been “an ego -thing”.
However, he admitted: “There were several moments last year that were really difficult for me. I felt that I just had to survive until the end.
“I felt that I disappointed all these people.
“In football, when you lose so many games, it is difficult for everyone to believe in one idea and all changes. So there were a few moments when I was really, really frustrated.
“Because everything I had to do, I had to do with a new start, with more time, with some changes that I couldn't make then.
“It was not the case not to know what to do to change the club, but my goal at that time, three months from the end of the season, tried to win the Europa League.
“We struggled a lot, tried to save players and only played 60 minutes.
“You can't do that at Manchester United. You can't think that way.
“That's why I was so frustrated because I couldn't do anything, I acknowledged that, so I had to wait.
“And to wait, and being the manager of Manchester United, is going with my hands on my side like a fight.”
A summer later, and Amorim looks and sounds like a different kind of hunter. A ready for the battle that lies in front of us.
His decision to insulate the 'bomb team' by Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnaacho and Tyrrell Malacia, may have looked cheeky, but seems to have the support of the players who flew with him for the American leg of their pre-season campaign.
Amorim is not regretted either. In his eyes, without a doubt, he did what was needed – for the well -being of the entire club.
He added: “When you lose, you have to change the culture, the standards.
“I didn't feel that last season and that is more of a club thing than a manager.
“Of course the manager is an important piece. Because if the manager does not want that, it is really difficult.
“The manager cannot do that alone, but I feel that we are more organized nowadays, everyone knows their places.
“This is my job and everyone knows that. That looks like a small thing, but it's a big thing.
“There are some things I don't know. So I have to have top people around me to help me change the culture.
“I have the authority. It is my job. The club wants that. But it is bigger than that. I need all the clubs in the same direction.
“We have improved everything – the medical department, the food, what we eat, the way we behave on tour, on the field. The rules.
“Everything is important. I know it is not children and I do not treat the players as children. But I think these small rules can help a group to be strong.”
Although United Big has spent, with £ 130 million on Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, with possibly another £ 70 million-plus to land Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, who was left in the shadow of the company this year.
The fear would be that if there is something, the gap could get bigger, but Amorim pointed out: “If we were at a different time, I would worry more about that.
“But we have such major problems here that I don't think so. I am just focused on what we should improve here.
“I am really happy with the players we brought. They have been proven in the Premier League, the physical aspect and I am really happy with their character.
“We have to be a bit more emotional in this team. With that emotion we will make more sacrifices, have more pace, more energy. The competition will help.
“It's a perfect year to do that, without European competition.
“We can use the standards, so we are really ready to go the next season, with the culture here, so that we can play, play, play.
“And I can guarantee you, if you bring a Premier League manager here, they would say:” Bryan Mbeumo, thanks; Matheus Cunha, thank you. “
“This is a club thing. Yes, the manager is really important, but all this idea of the culture, how we want to buy players, what kind of players we want is a club thing.
“In the meetings with Bryan, with Cunha, we said: 'Do not go to a club because of the manager.
“Go because of the idea of the club.” And they are here because of the idea of the club. ”