Ruben Amorim doesn't hold back in honest verdict on Man Utd's transfer reality

Manchester United will end the season in crisis after a campaign which started off badly under Erik ten Hag became even worse when Ruben Amorim was persuaded to leave Sporting Lisbon in November

Ruben Amorim has admitted he didn’t know how bad Manchester United were when he was appointed manager - or how long it's going to take to get it right. United will end the season in crisis after a campaign which started off badly under Erik ten Hag became even worse when Amorim was persuaded to leave Sporting Lisbon to succeed the Dutchman in November.

The Reds will finish one place above the relegation zone if they are beaten by Aston Villa on the final day and Tottenham win a point against Brighton - just four days after the London club beat United in the Europa League Final to qualify for the Champions League.

Amorim said: “I don’t have regrets, but I suffer like any Mancunian suffers to see all the things. Yes, the problems for me are deeper than I was thinking because I watch, I can feel it during training at Carrington, through all our organisation.

“It’s about the stability in our club. Everything is changing, all the departments are changing. In six months, we are doing everything, so everything is more difficult. I think we are taking some steps to improve things. You cannot see that because results are so poor, but we are in a better place now, that I can guarantee.

“It’s not about (transfer) windows. Sometimes we just don’t know. Things can change fast but to reach that kind of level we need as Manchester United is going to take time. I cannot say how many windows, how many years to reach that point, but we can improve. That is clear.”

United have won just six of 24 Premier league games under Amorim - and have lost 14 of them. Only relegated trio Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton have won fewer games during the same period.

Yet Amorim believes that behind the scenes there are signs that improvements are taking place - especially when it comes to recruitment. United have blown more than £1.5billion on players financing the different visions of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ten Hag.

Amorim said: “We need to get the recruitment right, that is clear. Some players played here and had opportunities - and then they go away and they flourish. That can happen. We need to look at our team, imagine a way of playing and put the right players in position to improve.

“I believe we are improving. We have a rule that it is not just the manager that chooses players. No player comes here without my approval, but the opposite is the same. That is important for not just one manager to control everything.

“We are putting all these things in place to improve the recruitment. For me, the important thing in recruitment is to know how we are going to play. If you have a clear idea of how to play, you can point to specific players that you want by using the data. We are making steps to improve on that aspect of our club.”

Amorim added: “I think it’s healthier. You cannot see it with the results - we now have worse results - but I think we are in a better place as a club with the small things that will be big things in the future.

“It’s hard to explain everything. I don’t want to touch on every point, but yes, we are in a better place. I am not happier because it’s impossible to be happier, especially after Wednesday and with our results in the league.

“I am suffering like everybody, but I know what we are doing and that gives me positivity and confidence for the future."

Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football . We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.