“How long is this going to take?” is the question being asked more frequently at Ruben Amorim’s press conferences as Manchester United’s manager.
The 40-year-old’s early tenure at Old Trafford has been plagued by his team’s inconsistency with the Red Devils yet to win consecutive games in the Premier League this season.
Closer to the Drop than the Top
Such a torrid run of form means that United now have better odds of being relegated than securing a top-four finish according to the latest football betting markets.
Currently, the Premier League betting odds price Amorim’s team at 50/1 to be relegated and 150/1 to qualify for the Champions League.
Given the bleak outlook, it’s easy to understand why patience is in such short supply among those connected to the club. However, the sobering truth is that there are no quick fixes for a team desperately trying to undo the damage caused by years of poor mismanagement off the field.
“We are being the worst team, maybe, in the history of Manchester United” 😳
Ruben Amorim didn’t hold back in his post-match press conference after Man United’s 3-1 defeat to Brighton ❌ pic.twitter.com/4xF22CNIA4
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 19, 2025
For better or worse, this is United’s reality: they are no longer title challengers and automatic shoo-ins for the Champions League.
Tough Pills to Swallow
Additionally, United are finding out that past successes have no bearing on the present. At least, winning the treble in 1999 isn’t going to stop Brighton from winning 3-1 at Old Trafford while the roof leaks in 2025.
When you fall down this far, the only way up is through root-and-branch reform, which Sir Jim Ratcliffe, United’s minority but hands-on owner, is attempting—albeit making very few friends in the process.
While the 72-year-old’s extreme cost-cutting measures have raised more than a few eyebrows, they are intended to help the club reset and start from scratch in their bid to dominate English football once again. Again, achieving the desired results is going to take many years.
Time Waits for No man
On the football front, this means an indefinite wait for a league title given how far ahead other clubs are in their quest to sit at the summit of English football.
Indeed, it seems more evident than ever that the Red Devils have entered their ‘wilderness in the desert’ era, much like Liverpool had to endure between 1990 and 2020 as they agonisingly waited to lift the top-flight title once more.
Similarly, Arsenal’s drought has stretched into its 21st year since last winning the title in 2004. With that said, Arsenal’s ability to be a main title challenger after years of stagnation during the back end of Arsene Wenger’s reign should offer some hope to United fans as it shows it’s possible to go back to the drawing board and get it right.
Achievement unlocked: 500 goals under Mikel Arteta 🔓 pic.twitter.com/mzUU1koxp5
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 22, 2025
However, the price for a comprehensive restoration project is time. Of course, many will argue that this isn’t a luxury the club can afford after going 12 years without winning the Premier League title.
The counterpoint is that United may not have yet reached their nadir in this current rebuild. What that low might entail remains to be seen, but one certainty is that the good times aren’t around the corner for a club still in freefall.