Ruben Amorim has been warned that there is no doubt that he will be “judged” by what he is able to do with Manchester United in the 2025-26 campaign.
The 40-year-old Manchester United manager became the sixth permanent head coach in the Old Trafford hot seat since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Ruben Amorim left his native homeland of Portugal and head coach role at Sporting CP during the 2024-25 campaign to replace Erik ten Hag at the Red Devils.
Erik ten Hag’s tenure at United came to an end last October after the Red Devils sacked the ex-Ajax boss following a turbulent start to the Premier League season.
Amorim faced an uphill task at Old Trafford last season and the Red Devils’ run of form continued to wane over the course of the 2024-25 Premier League campaign.
The Red Devils finished in 15th place in the table on the final day of the Premier League season after United’s 2-0 win over 10-man Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
Former Man Utd player Danny Higginbotham drops his verdict on transfers amid Ruben Amorim’s reign at Old Trafford
Manchester United added minimal reinforcements to Ruben Amorim’s squad back in the January window, with Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven arriving at Old Trafford.
However, Amorim is expected to make a much bigger overhaul of the United first-team squad in the summer after the transfer window opened in June.
The ex-Sporting CP head coach has seen one major signing arrive this summer, with United activating Matheus Cunha’s £62.5m release clause in his Wolves contract.
Speaking to Football365, former United player Danny Higginbotham has shared his two cents on the Red Devils’ transfer activity under Amorim so far.
“As a fan, I held judgment on Amorim,” he said.
“He’s brought in realistically, one signing that was playing week in and week out in [Patrick] Dorgu.
“I’ve been pleasantly surprised by what they’re looking to try and do in the transfer window. Obviously, they’ve got [Matheus] Cunha, and there’s talk about [Bryan] Mbeumo coming in.
“They haven’t done that for a while, bringing in recognised Premier League players.
“That’s something they were so good at for years when they were the cream of the crop and they would get a lot of the best players within the Premier League, and get some great European talents as well.
“Obviously, [Cristiano] Ronaldo coming [in] at a young age.”
Danny Higginbotham’s prediction for Man Utd’s 2025-26 season under Ruben Amorim could swing due to three players
Matheus Cunha had been heavily linked with United in recent weeks and Amorim is a big admirer of the 26-year-old Brazil star after his impressive season with Wolves.
Bryan Mbeumo has attracted United’s interest in the summer transfer window and the 25-year-old Brentford star is tipped to make the switch to Old Trafford.
Higginbotham has admitted that United could be in a “far better place” next season with Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo linking up together.
“But I’m quietly optimistic,” he continued.
“I think going into next season, this is when Amorim will be judged. I don’t think there’s any question about that.
“What he seems to be doing – he wants a specific type of dressing room and I think he’s made no apologies for that.
“Are we possibly looking at a potential of [Bruno] Fernandes, Cunha and Mbeumo as part of a front three or four to start the Premier League season? If that’s the case, then they’re in a far better place.”
United completed their post-season tour of Asia in May and the Red Devils will begin their pre-season campaign under Amorim in July.
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