Amorim’s Leadership at Manchester United: A Balancing Act Between Criticism and Motivation

During Rúben Amorim’s 13-month tenure at Manchester United, he has been notably critical of his players, himself, and the club as a whole. The Portuguese manager recently criticized the prevailing “feeling of entitlement” at the Premier League giants, urging his squad to utilize criticism and challenging moments as motivation to prove him wrong.

Earlier this month, Amorim addressed the issue, stating, “There is a feeling of entitlement we have in our club. Sometimes, difficult moments are not detrimental for the younger players. We don’t always need accolades. We are not helping ourselves. Nowadays, players voice complaints against the club due to their sense of entitlement. Former club legends suggest that if you don’t play, you should leave, implying everybody else is at fault. No, we should stay. We must fight and overcome our challenges. My office door is always open; that is how we can resolve issues, yet nobody approaches me.”

However, former United star Christian Eriksen feels that Amorim crossed a line with certain comments made last January. At a time when United was languishing in 13th place in the Premier League and had suffered four defeats in their last five home games, Amorim publicly criticized his team.

“In the last 10 Premier League matches, we have won only two,” Amorim remarked. “What does that signify for a Manchester United fan? What does that mean for me? We are bringing in a new coach who is underperforming compared to the previous one. I recognize that we may be the worst team in the history of Manchester United. I understand you want headlines, but I state this to acknowledge the issue and prompt change. Here are your headlines.”

Nearly a year later, Eriksen, now thriving in the Bundesliga, has reflected on Amorim’s remarks. He commented in an interview with The Times, “That didn’t help. That was not constructive at all. I don’t believe it assisted the players. Some things are better left unspoken in public, as they only add pressure to players who are striving to perform their best. It felt like just another headline.”

Eriksen, who played 107 times and scored eight goals for United from 2022 to 2025, offered a diplomatic opinion on Amorim’s managerial style. “He arrived with his ideas and attempted to implement changes, but it required a lot of adjustment because the players were not accustomed to his system. Historically, United has favored a different approach. I must say he was very honest with me from the start—very, very honest.”

Despite the negative media coverage and disappointing results that United has experienced in recent years, Eriksen emphasized that the atmosphere in the dressing room was positive.

“The external noise did not affect us much. Around the training ground, we maintained a sense of family, and I believe we succeeded in that. However, there were many pundits and former players voicing their opinions, and the pressure from outside was palpable. If we could manage to ignore that noise, I believe we could have achieved more.”

Although Eriksen faced criticism during his time at United, he played a pivotal role in the team’s triumphs, including victories in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup. Reflecting on his time there, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “It was very special for me; I had a wonderful experience at United. Coming back to prove myself after the Euros and getting the chance to play at United was incredible, and I am proud of my contributions.”

However, he acknowledged the mental challenges he encountered during his stint, particularly affecting younger players.

“The primary challenge at United is the expectations surrounding performance and player conduct. Every action is compared to those who preceded you. For instance, when you have Casemiro, people inevitably compare him to Roy Keane, or when a new striker arrives, they are compared to Robin van Persie. Wearing the United logo carries a heavy legacy, and players feel pressured to uphold that history and strive for improvement, which can be nearly impossible when the club has enjoyed such sustained success. Consequently, navigating multiple managerial changes and structural shifts further complicates the players’ ability to succeed.”