Building discipline
A new era is beginning at MU . The person who charted that path is Ruben Amorim , when he brought a strong wind of change from tactics to the internal culture of the team.
From the very first days of taking charge at Old Trafford, after replacing Erik ten Hag in the middle of the 2024/25 season, Amorim understood that he faced many problems.
Amorim knew he inherited a team that was in decline, and more seriously, a chronic illness: a toxic culture that had lasted for more than a decade since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
In the post-Sir Alex years, MU did not lack talent and did not hesitate to open their budget to recruit stars, but they especially lacked core elements: discipline and team spirit.
One by one, from Louis van Gaal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to Ralf Rangnick, they have failed to control the dressing room.
Even Jose Mourinho, one of the most individualistic and decisive coaches, had to leave after the success of the 2016/17 Europa League - the only European title in the post-Sir Alex era.
At that time, he used to mock some of his students with the phrase "black sheep", to refer to players who put their ego above the team's interests, lacking fighting spirit and discipline.
Now, Amorim – with the full backing of Sir Jim Ratcliffe – is the next in line to root out that toxic seed.
Eliminate Toxic
After the defeat in the 2024/25 Europa League final, the 40-year-old coach did not hesitate to show his power.
In just a few weeks at the beginning of the summer, he has crossed out a series of prominent names: Marcus Rashford (to Barcelona), Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho , and Tyrell Malacia who just returned from loan.
Amorim does not choose based on name, but on the spirit of serving the team. If they do not meet the requirements in terms of expertise and attitude, then no matter who they are, they will be eliminated.
A rare toughness at Old Trafford since Sir Alex. Surprisingly, this time, MU's internal situation is not in rebellion but... united.
The representative of that voice is Luke Shaw - one of the veteran players who has experienced all the ups and downs with the club.
“It’s not hard to see what the environment has been like over the years ,” Shaw said from the US. “For most of my time at the club, the atmosphere has been negative. It’s been toxic.
That's not good for anyone. We need an environment that's positive, energetic, engaging and fun . "
unanimous
Shaw backed Amorim: “He talks a lot about mentality. Ruben demands 100%, no exceptions. If someone is only at 85 or 90%, it's not enough. I feel this season, if you don't meet that, you won't play. That's true.”
The England defender, despite not being a guaranteed starter, believes Amorim's move was necessary, especially after the club's worst season in modern history.
“The coach is always the one who takes the final responsibility . He has to make a strong decision , ” Shaw continued. He has the longest seniority at MU at present.
“ Players must raise their own standards, from training to professionalism. We support him wholeheartedly . ”
A rare consensus. It is a prerequisite for real reconstruction.
Thanks to that approach, MU showed a more positive image in the series of unbeaten friendly matches: drawing with Leeds (0-0), winning with West Ham (2-1) and Bournemouth (4-1), most recently drawing with Everton (2-2).
More than the score, what excites fans is the fighting spirit, tight organization and commitment from the players - despite the thin squad (Amorim needs at least 3 more quality recruits) .
A winning culture cannot be built by expensive contracts alone. It takes time, it takes consensus. Sometimes, it takes ruthless “purges.”
Amorim is choosing that path, more aggressively than Mourinho. Fans are waiting for him to help MU win again, as well as to bring the club out of the dark shadow that has covered it for more than a decade.
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/ruben-amorim-ky-luat-hon-mourinho-o-mu-tam-biet-van-hoa-doc-hai-2428370.html
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