Ruben Amorim says rival is 'perfect example' given Man Utd shock

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has discussed Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments on his position at the club and what will be a successful season for the Red Devils

Ruben Amorim believes Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta offers the perfect example of how a club's fortunes can transform but admits Manchester United are in a different situation to that of the Gunners. The Portuguese coach conceded he never expected to find himself in this position with United, instead believing wins would be more forthcoming.

The Red Devils boss offered his verdict on Sir Jim Ratcliffe making an example of the Spanish coach as the co-owner put his faith in Amorim's ability to find success at United. Ratcliffe reckons the former Sporting CP can only be judged after three years in charge.

The INEOS chief pointed to Arteta having a 'miserable time' at the start of his spell in charge at the Emirates, while the Gunners now sit top of the Premier League having finished second three years on the bounce. Amorim is not looking to draw comparisons but rates Arteta's ability to turn the tide.

"No, I think every situation is different, of course," Amorim told Sky Sports. "We can hold on to good examples. Mikel is a perfect example because it took a lot of things before this kind of moment he is in at the moment.

"I was not expecting because you never expect. You expect to come here and start winning, and everything is fine. It's hard to say I was expecting this to happen but Mikel is a very good example about how to handle all of the things around football.

"But again, I think it's two different clubs, two different situations, and we need to focus on back-to-back games"

Amorim also reflected on what would be considered success for United this season. The 13-times Premier League winners finished 15th last term, and were runners-up in the Europa League.

The Red Devils are targeting a return to European football but Amorim does not believe that can be deemed success for a club of United's calibre. Instead, they need to take steps to once again fight at the very top in the future.

It is not a position the club are in currently, Amorim conceded. "We want to go to Europe, we need to return to Europe but we don't know what is going to happen," he said. "I don't like to call success going to Europe with this club. This club's success is to win the Premier League.

"What we have to be is honest with our fans that we are not in that moment, we need to be clear on that. I'm not going to call success going to Europe or finishing first eight or first six. That is not success. We need to have success in steps. Success in our club is to win the Premier League nothing less."

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