Man Utd chiefs told massive next step they must take to truly back Ruben Amorim

Manchester United spent over £200million in the summer to give Ruben Amorim more of what he wants at Old Trafford, but Phil Jones insists the Red Devils’ boss needs much more than just transfer market support

Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones believes it’s crucial that the Old Trafford club offer manager Ruben Amorim much more than support in the transfer market.

Jones, who spent 12 years with the Reds after being signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in a £16.5million deal from Blackburn in 2011, became a Premier League title winner under the club’s greatest-ever manager before experiencing United’s spectacular fall from grace when the Scot retired in 2013. He has been encouraged with the way co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sanctioned a £200million-plus summer spend that has brought Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Senne Lammens to Manchester this summer.

But Jones feels that Amorim must be given time to make his methods work – and that the Portuguese’s task would be made easier if United overhauled the playing style of their much-vaunted academy so that youth graduates are coached to play the three-at-the-back tactical system the manager is committed to.

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Jones spent two years coaching the kids at Carrington after hanging up his boots in 2024. Speaking exclusively to Free Bets, the home of the best betting sites, he said: “One of the questions I asked was why the youth and academy teams didn’t play the same system that Amorim was bringing in at senior level.

“These kids need to learn how to play in different positions and in different systems to have a career in the game. Hopefully they do go on to have a career at Old Trafford, but if they are going to have any success in the game then they need to be adaptable.

“I think it’s good for youngsters to play in different positions and systems. But there definitely has to be an alignment right through the academy so that it prepares players for the first team.

“If a player gets a call into the senior squad – which has happened for years and years at United – they have to be ready to play the system the manager employs. They have to have an understanding of it.”

Jones added: “I think it’s important that United don’t shoot the gun too early with another manager. Last season was bad. But I’ve been buoyed by some of the performances I’ve seen in the Premier League this season.

“Five points from three games is something to build on. If Amorim can take four points from the games against (Manchester) City and Chelsea after the international break then suddenly it looks like he’s on the right track.

“You cannot gloss over that performance in the Grimsby game in the Carabao Cup. United were terrible all over the pitch.

“What do you do? Keep swapping the manger and then give someone else £200million to spend? United have got to back Amorim. He’s a young manger with fresh ideas and I think he will get it right.

“Every time a manager was sacked after Sir Alex left, the club would brief that we were in transition. But United have probably been in a constant transition for 10 years now. They wanted Amorim because he plays a different system and a different way to how United traditionally play. He’s not going to change – and nor should he change.”

Amorim, 40, is an emotional manager who wears his heart on his sleeve. Jones has been surprised at how honest he has been when assessing the quality of the squad at his disposal – but has urged him not to lose that edge.

He said: “I remember playing against Ruben in the Champions League when he played for Braga. What I like about him is that he’s authentic – and authenticity in this game is a massively positive characteristic in my opinion.

“I don’t think you should try to be cool and calm when you’re not, just like you shouldn’t turn on the anger if that’s not you either.

“I don’t think Amorim should change. Obviously there are times when he wants to avoid saying certain things, but ultimately he has to be his own person.”

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