Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has said that he has “a really blunt and honest” relationship with the club’s minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
On Tuesday, Man United announced plans to build a spectacular new 100,000-seater stadium close to Old Trafford, which the club are hopeful will be finished in the next five years.
Amorim is expecting “an amazing stadium” to be built, while the Portuguese was also quizzed on his relationship with Ratcliffe ahead of Thursday’s Europa League last-16 second leg against Real Sociedad.
“It’s an amazing stadium, like it should be. But it’s in the future, five years from now. We have to focus on the present and I’m really excited to win things in Old Trafford, that’s our focus,” Amorim told reporters during his press conference.
Amorim said that he has a “really good” relationship with Ratcliffe, who has vowed to build the “world’s greatest football stadium”.
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Amorim reacts to Man United stadium announcement
“It’s really good since day one. I think we are really blunt and honest with each other. It’s a little bit the character. We are quite similar in that way, so I always felt the support of the board and especially from Sir Jim. I cannot tell you the conversations, but they are simple conversations, clear conversations and honest conversations,” said the Man United head coach.
“I already knew that [senior figures at the club were behind me]. All these conversations I’ve already had in the past with them. After matches, they went to the dressing room and talked to me to explain this.
“To say it publicly is really good for the coach but I say the same thing. We need results and we need to improve the team. But since day one I felt the support from everybody here.”
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Amorim opens up on Man United’s summer transfer plans
Amorim was also asked about Man United’s transfer plans for the summer, with the Portuguese commenting on the importance of winning the Europa League, which would bring Champions League football for next season.
“We have a clear plan to address next season. Of course, we have Europa League also and you can reach Champions League. We never know. It’s far from this moment, but it can change, we never know, the preparation for next season,” he said.
“We have a plan, we know what to do. We know we are in a difficult moment but the most important thing again is to have a plan and to know what to do and to know what players you need to bring.
“Does that potentially involve selling players? We’ll see. In this moment we are just focused, especially on this competition. That can change everything so let’s see about the game tomorrow.”
Man United are expected to prioritise the signing of a new striker this summer, while a goalkeeper, right-sided wing-back and a central midfielder are also likely to be among the arrivals at the end of the campaign.
