Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox has acknowledged the scale of the task facing the club, admitting there is no "quick fix" and stressing he "prays we get the opportunity to turn it around."
Wilcox, who arrived at Old Trafford in 2024 as part of a leadership overhaul, has seen Ruben Amorim's side continue to struggle on the pitch.
United sit 14th in the Premier League following last weekend's 3-0 defeat to rivals Manchester City, extending a poor run that followed a dismal 2024-25 campaign.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe flew in on Thursday for talks with under-pressure head coach Amorim, as well as Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada.
Speaking at a gala dinner marking the 40th anniversary of the Association of Manchester United Players, Wilcox admitted he had underestimated the scale of the job.
"I didn't realise how big this club was, even though I’ve competed against the club as a player and as a coach," he said.
"This club is just a wonderful football club, and I’m extremely privileged. I just pray that we get the opportunity to turn it around. I really feel that it’s not 'will we win again,' it's 'when we are going to win again.
"It's going to take time, it's not a quick fix, especially now with the [profitability and sustainability] regulations. We needed to change the playing squad.
"We've now made some really good additions this summer. Sometimes taking players out of the squad is just as important as the players that you bring in."
Since Matchday 12 of last season, when Amorim took over at United, no Premier League side to feature throughout that period has fared worse — the Red Devils have collected just 31 points from 31 matches with a goal difference of -13.
United signed five players over the summer and moved 11 out of the first-team squad, despite failing to qualify for Europe. Cost-cutting also led to redundancies, which Wilcox described as a difficult but necessary part of restructuring.
"It has been a rollercoaster. I came in last April so I've been in just now over 18 months and it's been a real challenge. I'm not going to lie, I thought the club was in a much better place than what it was," admitted Wilcox.
"We had no football identity, we lacked alignment between ownership and the CEO on football and the academy."
United, who face Chelsea on Saturday, will be hoping to get back to winning ways when they return to Old Trafford.
JorgeJamaika
0
jackass didn't man UTD won the game
With an advantage of Chelsea early Red card that's when they scored 2 goals, after Casemiro got a red card did they score again. This means that if Chelsea never received a red card man utd was to lose by 1 goal.
Copbceryz
0
I think the board should support Amorin and give him more time to build
zoncdmoy
0
tuchel played 343 in epl n won, as is man UTD urll n the media trying n make it a problem, I glad UTD bought in players that played the system amorin wants to play, the rest of the squad need to step up
zoncdmoy
0
conte played 343 with Chelsea n won
zoncdmoy
0
man UTD fucking players are lazy to adapt
zoncdmoy
0
urll mfs did sporting ever take 7 with Ruben system
zoncdmoy
0
you see what happens to clubs that use 3-4-2-1 formation.
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jackass didn't man UTD won the game
zoncdmoy
0
plz sacked amorin plz plz
u a fucking idiot
zoncdmoy
0
we don't fucking need rashford he had his chance one hit wonder
zekclmpstz
0
plz sacked amorin plz plz
Niccdortu
2
Real men are now talking about the real issues at Man United not the same fools who always resort to "sack the manager" on repeat getting same outcome. Rebuild means accepting Man United isn't a top 6 club at the moment and giving time for the project to change that state of affairs.
Socblnotuy
1
is it the team rebuild the reason why they're not getting any positive results though? you can spend all the money you want it the system doesn't work ain't no way you getting positive results period
I'm sorry that Manchester United got a positive back to back win in the Premier league and we're still the biggest team in the Premier league.
Socblnotuy
1
Yeah, I still think we need more signings. Players like Zirkzee, Dorgu, and Ugarte aren't quite up to Manchester United's standards. And with only one senior natural striker, Benjamin Sesko, we have a serious issue that needs addressing.
huwikostuz
2
Since the year 2013 until now, they are still rebuilding this one team. Other teams have been rebuild in less than three to four years then as big as Manchester United is they are still complaining about rebuilding
which team are you talking about here..
Ceaabcdmry
1
Dehadeiprt
0
Since the year 2013 until now, they are still rebuilding this one team. Other teams have been rebuild in less than three to four years then as big as Manchester United is they are still complaining about rebuilding
Austineluv8
0
Give amorim 3 years to build man utd
30 years is okay
maceiklyz
0
Give amorim 3 years to build man utd
give him 30 yr also Man U will not going to win any trophy
princesideeq
0
[image]
I support dis ur formation 💯
King_Wazza10®
2
is it the team rebuild the reason why they're not getting any positive results though? you can spend all the money you want it the system doesn't work ain't no way you getting positive results period
Kanilorsy
1
JorgeJamaika
0
Man utd have never lost at old Trafford playing against Chelsea in their last 12 EPL meetings, So if this Stubborn manager lose today he should be Sacked.
Vauadeiny
2
wilcox ,stupid you think Amorin useless flop can fix the problem, he's ruining the club.
Austineluv8
1
Give amorim 3 years to build man utd
Nuhcdiklrs
0
nonsense talk
abusiddiks
1
Are we still building this after 12 years??😡😡😡what the fo…k
JorgeJamaika
0
you see what happens to clubs that use 3-4-2-1 formation.
wimlmpru
2
we cant wait.. pls sack amorim. amorimout!!