Ratcliffe backs Amorim as United owner holds talks amid rough start

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim says owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe still backs him, after Ratcliffe flew into Carrington by helicopter for talks with the club’s leadership amid United’s difficult start to the season.

The Thursday meeting included Amorim, chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox, and focused on United’s start to the campaign, which has seen four points from four Premier League games, a Manchester derby defeat and a Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town.

Amorim said Ratcliffe's participation underscored backing and the owner's view of United as a long-term project. 'He offered me a new contract! No, it was a normal thing to show the support, explaining that it's a long project, which he has said many times,' Amorim said. 'We spoke about normal things with Omar, Jason and him. It was a normal meeting and we had several.'

Amorim added that it is normal for people to pay attention to ownership discussions given United's profile and the pressure to win. 'In this moment it's normal for you to pay attention to that. This is the football club with maybe more pressure than any other in the world and we want to win.'

Ahead of Saturday's clash with Chelsea at Old Trafford, Amorim said he has learned from last season. 'Last year I was very critical of the way we play. I think we are playing well until the boxes. Defending and attacking, we need to be more aggressive in the boxes. We need to be more clinical. We are in a better place compared to last year but we need to win.'

While Ratcliffe remains a minority owner and will not dictate on-the-field choices, Amorim stressed that the conversations were part of United's broader, long-range plan and not a reaction to an immediate crisis. The club's leadership group will again assess performance as they prepare for a demanding schedule, with focus on turning early-season promise into results.