Former coach highlights Ruben Amorim’s “personality,” but compares United’s negative cycle to that of Liverpool, who also waited 31 years to become champions again.
Alex Ferguson says Manchester United is going through a very difficult period and may need another “ten years” to become champions in England again, but he also says he admires Ruben Amorim’s personality.
Statements made in an interview with Press Box in which the former Scottish coach also talks about Cristiano Ronaldo and the candidates to win the 2026 World Cup.
“He [Ruben Amorim] is a good person. It’s not easy. I remember looking back at my own time there, starting when Liverpool was at its peak. It was a fantastic club, they had won the Champions League four times and everything else, but then it took them 31 years to win the league again,” the 83=year=old coach begins by saying.
The former coach evoked the time it took Liverpool to return to the spotlight, in a comparison with what may also be happening with United, who haven’t won the title in over ten years, since 2013.
Now we’re in the same situation. It could be ten years, it could be 11 years, because of this cycle. We have to think carefully and ensure that the signings are better than they have been,” he added.
Despite everything, Manchester United has managed some good results and is currently in sixth place, just two points behind Chelsea, who are fourth. “I think the signing of the goalkeeper [Senne Lammens] made the difference. He’s young, 23 years old, he’s fast, a big guy, he has good technique with his feet and hands, and I think that helps. I think they needed that player. United have always had inspiring players over the years. I think that helped,” he commented.
In addition to Lammens, Ferguson highlights two other important signings. “The other two, [Bryan] Mbeumo and (Matheus) Cunha, seem like they will contribute to getting us back in form,” he added.
The former coach also commented on Cristiano Ronaldo’s recent interview with journalist Piers Morgan, in which the Portuguese international recalled his old days at United.
It was fantastic. You meet exceptional players throughout your life. He was 17 years old, but you could tell there was something special about him—not just his skill, but also his desire to be the best. In every training session, he practiced free kicks. He was phenomenal,” he emphasizes.
In the same interview, Cristiano Ronaldo also spoke about his ambition to win the World Cup. “Portugal has good players. I always think about Brazil in the World Cup. I coached two young Brazilian twins, Rafael and Fábio. They were excellent in training every day, they never wore trousers in the cold. They have a peculiar fighting spirit. You see them on the beach for hours and hours every night playing. I think whoever beats Brazil will win the World Cup, Alex Ferguson also highlighted.