Amorim tells Sir Ratcliffe to 'f*** off' as Man Utd relationship becomes clear

Ruben Amorim's brutally candid relationship with part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has helped keep the Manchester United head coach in the job for next season at least

Ruben Amorim can look forward to more blunt conversations with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, regardless of what happens in the Europa League final against Spurs. The Premier League strugglers face off in Bilbao’s all-or-nothing encounter, with the victor salvaging a soul-destroying season by securing silverware and Champions League qualification.

Amorim has fared even worse than his predecessor, Erik ten Hag, in the Premier League, leading to question marks over the Portuguese coach’s future barely six months into his tenure. United’s Europa League form has eased the pressure a little, and Amorim can look forward to a first full pre-season as United boss, even if his side are beaten by a Spurs team equally desperate for a trophy, reports The Times.

Despite United’s domestic travails, Amorim has earned the respect of the club hierarchy, including minority owner Ratcliffe, who admires the head coach’s passion, thoughtfulness and honesty. That is in contrast to his rapport with Ten Hag, who was said to be too robotic for Ratcliffe’s liking.

Amorim and Ratcliffe have developed a strong bond. They speak every week over the phone and share messages in a WhatsApp group containing other senior club figures. It has also emerged that Amorim isn’t afraid to put his boss in his place by telling him to f*** off, albeit light-heartedly.

Ratcliffe said in March: "I really, really like Ruben. He's a very thoughtful guy. Every time I go to the training ground, I speak to Ruben. I sit down and have a cup of coffee with him and tell him where it's going wrong, and he tells me to f*** off! I like him."

Amorim has also spoken warmly about the INEOS founder, saying earlier this season: "I think we have a really good connection. We are both a little bit blunt and honest in conversations. He really likes the club, he's like a fan."

Alluding to the team’s struggles and the cutbacks Ratcliffe has made off the pitch, Amorim added: "I know that he's doing really difficult things.

"But I feel that we have a good connection, and we want to succeed here. I already knew [about his support]. We talk about football, not just the club.

“It's a good thing because publicly, it's a different thing. It shows a lot of confidence from the owner. I felt it since day one. Since day one, I felt that the people really like my work.

"My work is the result, so also sometimes it's harder for me - my relationship with them - than theirs with me. We're really honest with each other. I'm a little bit the same.

“I came from a normal family and now I'm here in Manchester and I'm still the same person. I feel that he is the same [type of] person, so we can talk like that.”