Amorim causes a stir: 'At Manchester United, I made a lot of mistakes'

Ruben Amorim openly acknowledges his time at Manchester United, sharing the most significant takeaways from his career. The AC Milan boss asserts that the setbacks at Old Trafford were instrumental in his growth, preparing him for fresh challenges ahead.

Ruben Amorim made notable remarks during AC Milan's tour in Australia, looking back for the first time on his period in charge of Manchester United. The Portuguese tactician did not avoid the criticism directed at him, and stated that the defeats at Old Trafford made him a more mature coach. Amorim was sacked by United in January after a turbulent spell.

Although his reign at Old Trafford ended in disappointment, Amorim was quickly appointed by AC Milan last month. According to the 41-year-old manager, it was precisely his experiences at Manchester United that helped convince the Italian club's leadership to trust him. In this interview, Amorim also made his most candid admissions about his failure at United, especially acknowledging that he made many mistakes.

Speaking to the media, Amorim said: "Milan appointed me because they believe I am the right person for the football philosophy I want to build. They want the team to play that way, and I think they chose me not only for my past successes, but also for the experience of working at a big club like Manchester United and what I learned from that period." He added: "They understand that I am ready for this job not just because of the successes, but also because of the failures. I think that helped a lot in my conversations with Mr. Cardinale."

When asked what made his time at Manchester United a failure, Amorim did not blame anyone. He stressed: "First of all, it doesn't matter anymore. Everything is in the past. Circumstances change, and you have to look toward the next challenge." Then, the Portuguese strategist made a notable self-criticism: "I learned a lot. It's hard to point to a single cause, but the most important thing I realized is that I made a lot of mistakes. When you look back and understand that it wasn't just others' fault but also your own, you become a better coach and a better person."

Amorim also stated that he closes the chapter with respect. "I am truly honored to have managed Manchester United, but now I am the coach of Milan. I have spoken and exchanged messages with some club legends like Massaro and Baresi." The manager said he understands the Rossoneri culture well because he has loved the club since childhood. "I understand the club's culture and traditions, but that's the past. Our goal is to create a new future. They chose me for a reason, and one of those is that I like to lead teams that are going through difficult times."

Before leaving Old Trafford, Amorim left behind forgettable numbers, as he had the lowest win rate in Manchester United's Premier League history (32%), conceding an average of 1.53 goals per game and keeping a clean sheet in only 15% of matches. United also had to pay around £15.9 million to terminate his contract and his coaching staff, before the compensation was reduced because Amorim took over at AC Milan. The latest comments show that the Portuguese coach has chosen to face his failure, using it as a foundation to build a new chapter in his career. Amorim is expected to help AC Milan regain top form.