‘Beyond belief’: Ratcliffe is now ruing ‘dreadful’ summer decision with Amorim ultimately left paying the price

Had only INEOS done what was needed and parted ways with Erik ten Hag before the season began, we can only imagine how Manchester United’s situation would look right now.

Having just sustained a fifth defeat of his month-long Red Devils tenure, Ruben Amorim is already finding himself with the weight of the world on his shoulders, and truthfully, it’s down to the key decision-makers.

Amorim is navigating a side filled to the brim with Ten Hag’s chosen signings. Whether it be substandard ones who’d previously played under him, like Antony, high-earners who were on the decline from the moment they arrived at Old Trafford, like Casemiro, or questionable acquisitions who hadn’t even fared particularly well at their previous clubs, ie. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.

Yet, it’s the new head coach who’s now tasked with making such a mismatched team successful, and such a goal is becoming increasingly out of the realm of possibility with each passing gameweek.

Ratcliffe left ruing delayed Ten Hag sacking – Amorim’s paying the price

Following an utterly despicable showing at the Molineux on Thursday, journalist Sam Pilger took to X/Twitter to share his reaction, writing: “It was beyond belief MUFC retained a manager who had finished 8th in the table and handed him another £200 million to spend. 8th!!!!

“That dreadful decision has damaged this season and all problems flow from it.”

He’s not wrong, either. Ten Hag’s FA Cup triumph last term glossed over the fact he’d just overseen United’s lowest-ever Premier League finish on record, after a campaign in which the side exited Europe at the earliest stage after losing four of their six group-stage games.

All speculation in the summer pointed towards the exit for the Dutchman, but when agreements failed to materialise between INEOS chiefs and their managerial candidates, Ten Hag’s contract was extended by an additional year, meaning Jim Ratcliffe and Co. are now paying off his £10.4 million severance package.

It also cost £11m to prise Amorim from Sporting Lisbon three months into the season. As a result, there are little to no funds available to bolster the lacklustre squad in the January window. A truly woeful state of affairs all around.