Man United Will Have to Listen to the Offer Ruben Amorim Has Already Said No to After UEL Final

Man United Will Have to Listen to the Offer Ruben Amorim Has Already Said No to After UEL Final

 

 

Manchester United’s dismal end to the 2024/25 season, capped off by a disappointing performance in the UEFA Europa League Final, has thrust the club into a state of introspection and urgency. With mounting pressure from fans, ownership, and pundits, the Red Devils are facing another summer of major decisions, chief among them being the future of manager Erik ten Hag.

 

While United’s board has yet to make an official announcement, the writing appears to be on the wall. Losing the Europa League final — their last chance at silverware and a potential ticket to the Champions League — has further weakened Ten Hag’s position. Now, Manchester United may find themselves reconsidering an option they previously shelved: Sporting CP’s Ruben Amorim.

 

The Portuguese tactician was heavily linked with the United job in recent months, but he publicly turned down speculation, affirming his commitment to Sporting. However, with United’s managerial situation now at a breaking point, the club may be forced to revisit that very offer Amorim once rejected — and this time, the context might prompt a very different outcome.

 

 

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United’s Season in Decline

 

The 2024/25 campaign was meant to be one of progress under Ten Hag. After flashes of promise the previous season, expectations were high that the Dutchman could solidify United’s identity and challenge for major honors. But reality has painted a far grimmer picture.

 

Inconsistencies in the Premier League saw United fall out of the top-four race early, while a premature Champions League exit sent them into the Europa League. The club’s inability to impose itself in European fixtures and a tactically disjointed performance in the UEL final — where United failed to adapt under pressure — have led many to question Ten Hag’s suitability long term.

 

The failure wasn’t purely tactical. Dressing room harmony appeared fragile, with reports of discontent over training methods, team selections, and man-management surfacing throughout the season. As a result, the club’s leadership is now exploring other managerial options — and Ruben Amorim remains at the top of that list.

 

 

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Ruben Amorim: The Rejected Suitor?

 

Earlier in 2025, Manchester United reportedly approached Amorim through intermediaries to gauge his interest in replacing Ten Hag. At the time, the Sporting boss was riding high — he had just guided his side to the Primeira Liga title and was being lauded for his innovative style, man-management skills, and ability to develop young talent.

 

Amorim publicly shut down the rumors, stating his loyalty to Sporting and his desire to continue building something special in Lisbon. The message seemed clear: he wasn’t interested. However, in football, timing is everything. Amorim’s initial “no” came when United’s future was uncertain, and Sporting were flying high. But now, circumstances are shifting.

 

Manchester United may not be able to afford to take that “no” at face value anymore. They will need to revisit the offer — and potentially sweeten it.

 

 

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Why Amorim Still Makes Sense

 

Despite his earlier rejection, Ruben Amorim remains an ideal candidate to lead Manchester United into a new era. His credentials speak for themselves. Since taking over at Sporting in 2020, he has revitalized the club with a modern 3-4-3 system, emphasizing ball control, fluid pressing, and tactical intelligence.

 

More importantly, Amorim has a proven track record of working with limited budgets and maximizing young talent — two things United desperately need. The likes of Gonçalo Inácio, Pedro Gonçalves, and Ousmane Diomande have flourished under his guidance. United, who boast a promising young core in Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Rasmus Højlund, need a manager who can nurture and elevate such talent rather than stifle it.

 

Furthermore, Amorim’s ability to maintain harmony within the dressing room and instill a unified playing philosophy is a stark contrast to the fractured environment currently reported at Carrington.

 

 

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What Has Changed Since Amorim’s Refusal?

 

The landscape looks different now. Sporting may have secured domestic glory, but Amorim has increasingly voiced frustration about Sporting’s limited resources on the European stage. While he remains respected and well-loved in Portugal, he is aware that to reach the elite echelon of coaching — where managers compete consistently for Champions League titles — he may need to make a move.

 

Manchester United, for all their chaos, remain one of the biggest clubs in the world, boasting resources, fanbase, and branding few can match. If the club now presents a more structured footballing project under the new INEOS sporting leadership, including clarity on transfers, autonomy over tactics, and a long-term vision, Amorim may find the second offer far more appealing than the first.

 

 

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United Can’t Afford to Wait

 

Another reason United must revisit Amorim now is the lack of elite managerial alternatives. With Xabi Alonso set to stay at Bayer Leverkusen and other top-tier names like Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique tied up with national teams, the list of viable, available managers is surprisingly short.

 

Waiting too long may allow another top European club to swoop in for Amorim, whose stock is only rising. Clubs like Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and even Barcelona have reportedly monitored his progress. If United hesitate, they could once again miss out on a manager perfectly suited to leading a footballing renaissance at Old Trafford.

 

Moreover, any new appointment needs time to assess the squad, shape preseason plans, and influence summer transfers. Delays could cost the club valuable preparation time and deepen the cracks already present.

 

 

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Can United Convince Him?

 

Winning over Amorim will require more than just a salary bump. United must present a cohesive vision — one that includes:

 

A long-term football strategy under INEOS and Sir Dave Brailsford.

 

Control or significant influence over recruitment decisions.

 

A commitment to youth development.

 

Patience and protection from short-term pressures.

 

 

Amorim is known to value club culture and long-term planning. If United can show that they are finally serious about structure and stability — and not just another revolving door for coaches — they stand a real chance of landing him.

 

 

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Conclusion: Amorim’s “No” Might Not Be the Final Word

 

Manchester United are at a pivotal moment. Their Europa League Final loss is more than just a single bad result — it symbolizes the end of an era of mediocrity and the start of a long-overdue rebuild. While Ruben Amorim has already said no once, the context has changed dramatically. The offer he turned down was made in a different time, under different circumstances.

 

Now, with Ten Hag’s future all but sealed and the club desperately seeking a visionary to lead them forward, Manchester United must return to Amorim with a clearer plan and more compelling proposal. This time, they have to listen, adapt, and convince. Because if they don’t, the chance to secure one of Europe’s most promising minds may slip

away — and with it, another opportunity to finally steer the club back to greatness.