Ruben Amorim claims he is looking forward to some difficult conversations and tough decisions involving his failing Manchester United stars as he looks to rebuild the club this summer.
A large number of players could be leaving the club, with Amorim under orders to raise cash to help fund the massive changes he envisages at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese coach claims he can see a clear path out of United’s current predicament – both on the field and off it, where the ownership continues to implement drastic cost-cutting measures.
And Amorim concedes that his honesty-first approach with players means he is actively looking forward to exit interviews which, he says, are not difficult for him.
“We can talk about that at the end because we have a lot of games still to play,” said Amorim. “But that is clear and I think that is not a difficult situation because everybody understands that in football sometimes you stay, sometimes you have to move on.
“If you know how to explain, for me, it’s easy. If I know how to explain, I can do it and I like to do it because I want to be clear. When I was a player also I tried to use all that experience.
“When you are honest with someone, they can take it, like in the beginning it’s hard, but they will understand.
“I’m quite honest with my players and they already know that sometimes they have to move on at the end of the season.”
United, currently sitting in 14th position, are on course for their lowest ever Premier League finish – eighth last season under Erik ten Hag – yet Amorim claims he can see light at the end of the tunnel.
And he says the tough budget decisions made by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe indicate the same can be said about United’s off-field problems.
But, as he prepares for Sunday’s FA Cup last-16 tie with Fulham, the United manager admits he needs to produce results to go along with that vision.
“I think I see a clear path. And I see that from the board also,” said Amorim. “Because they are also making difficult changes that are not popular. But they are doing it because they have a vision. And I think that is clear.
“But in the future we need to show some results. Because you can do a lot of changes and if you don’t have results, people don’t feel confident and happy, and that is winning games, it doesn’t matter.
“So I think the good thing is that we have a clear path. Now it’s hard but we are doing things to achieve success in the future.”
Meanwhile, the improved form of former United captain Harry Maguire has prompted Amorim to tip him for an England recall in Thomas Tuchel’s first squad in March.
The defender, last capped against Ireland at the start of September, has been one of the few United successes recently, scoring winning goals against Leicester and Ipswich in February.
“I would be really happy for him. I think he deserves it,” said Amorim. “He’s a great guy. I think he needs to improve, because when you are a player, you can improve a lot of things.
“But I think his performance at the moment is quite good. And you felt that he’s more a leader now, that can help a national team. So I hope he’s in the national team in the next games.”
