'In a rush' - Ruben Amorim is talking like a Man United head coach should be (2025)

The prospect of ending his first season in charge at Manchester United having done the league double over Manchester City and winning the Europa League would bank Ruben Amorim plenty of credit.

United will head into tomorrow's derby at Old Trafford targeting their first league double over City since the 2019/20 campaign following their dramatic 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium back in December.

Amorim is unlikely to get himself caught up in the celebrations of what a double over Pep Guardiola's side would mean. He is also unlikely to get too downhearted if United end up on the wrong side of the scoreline.

The reason being he is looking at the bigger picture. Amorim arrived at Old Trafford in November with the ambition of restoring United to their former glories, and that means challenging for the Premier League title.

It was revealed back in February that Ineos guru Sir David Brailsford had informed United staff about 'Mission 21' - the objective of securing a 21st league title in 2028 to mark United's 150th anniversary. However, Amorim is no mood to wait another three years to lead United to their first Premier League crown since 2013.

"I understand, but I'm not naïve," Amorim said on Friday. "I don't want to think we need a lot of years to be competitive. I can't think like that, I cannot manage that, it's not in me. That's why I'm putting pressure on myself.

"I know we won't be the biggest challengers in the next year or two years. We are changing a lot of things inside the club and we know it will take a lot of time, but I will not say I need a lot of years.

"Next year is our goal. I'm not saying we're going to win the title in the next year, I'm not crazy.

"I'm saying I don't want this conversation that we need a lot of years and let's keep it calm - no, we are in a rush. We are suffering a lot for next year to be so much better.

"I don't want to be the guy that is sitting here saying we need a lot of time. I will not be that coach."

Currently 13th in the table with eight games to go, talk of a title tilt as soon as next season feels somewhat ambitious. United will embark on a massive summer at the end of this season and changes must be made to the squad.

It is not unrealistic to suggest Amorim may need at least two summers to get the squad aligned with his vision before launching a serious title assault. However, although Amorim accepts United will unlikely be considered as a genuine title challenger as soon as next season, admitting he is "not crazy" when raising that point, just the fact he has addressed how quickly he wants success paints a positive picture of himself, highlighting just how ambitious he is.

He is desperate to bring the good times back to Old Trafford, and bringing the good times back to M16 will have to mean consistently competing for the Premier League title.

He added: "All the teams, they are already in a place where we need a lot to catch them and they will improve again next season. I want to focus on our strengths and then use our club to try and bring in one or two big players in.

"I cannot manage saying in three years, we still try something. For me, we will start next season. We need to be so much better because this is a massive club and I want to put that pressure on me and everybody here."

In addressing his hunger for immediate success, Amorim has only strengthened an already positive relationship with United's fans. His name once again reverberated around the away end at the City Ground on Tuesday night.

A lot of United fans are cautiously optimistic Amorim is the coach they have been waiting for since Sir Alex Ferguson retired 12 years ago. He is certainly saying all the right things to make them believe so - and it can only bode well for United.

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