Michael Owen has urged Manchester United chiefs to stand by under-fire manager Ruben Amorim. Despite a challenging season marked by some disappointing results, the Portuguese coach managed to secure a much-needed victory against reigning champions Liverpool last weekend, providing him with some respite.
Ex-England, Liverpool and United forward Owen is adamant that Amorim is the right person to steer the English titans back to their former glory. Speaking to Sky Bet, Owen stated: “Ruben Amorim can be the man to lead Manchester United for years to come. When Erik ten Hag was in charge, I said from minute one that I couldn’t see it. I didn’t agree with his words or his style of football.
“But with Amorim, I like what he says and his principles. With time, investment, and stability, he can succeed. Some massive managers have failed at that club over the last decade, so at some point you have to stop chopping and changing and just stick with someone.”
“The club has changed everything, managers, facilities, staff, even the boardroom. Now they need stability and time to piece it back together. That’s what Amorim can bring if he’s given the chance.”
Owen also highlighted an ongoing issue at United – the club’s inability to develop players due to a ‘toxic’ environment. He added: “There’s something in that([players struggling at Manchester United but thriving elsewhere).
“Name a Manchester United player in the last 10 years who’s arrived and either stayed and got better, or left and got worse? You can’t.
“But you can name loads who’ve gone the other way. That’s not coincidence. The environment just hasn’t been right. On the flip side, look at Liverpool.
“Players people once thought were average, have become world-class. When things are going right at a club, everything flows; when it’s toxic, it drags everyone down.
“United’s had incredible players like Paul Pogba, Angel Di Maria, Alexis Sanchez – all world-class when they arrived, all looked half the player in a United shirt. It’s been a tough place for players to flourish.”
