Don't be fooled by Jim Ratcliffe's words of confidence in Ruben Amorim... The next month is crucial.

 Don't be fooled by Jim Ratcliffe's words of confidence in Ruben Amorim... The next month is crucial.

The Manchester United owner says he will evaluate the manager in three years, but if results don't improve, he'll be lucky to get even three weeks.

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It's difficult to comprehend everything that has happened at Manchester United, so it's fitting that Sir Jim Ratcliffe gave new dimensions to the traditional principle of a vote of confidence. The United co-owner joined The Times Business Podcast, and the conversation centered on Ruben Amorim and his job security.

At first, the answer didn't seem very good. When asked if Amorim would get at least the rest of the season, Ratcliffe simply said he was "a good man." His tone suddenly changed when he explained how unbelievable this sounded. Ratcliffe said, "I would say Ruben has to show in three years that he's a great coach. I'm staying here - three years."

In fact, Ratcliffe suggested that speculation about Amorim's job is nothing more than a media fabrication, and he disagrees with it. Ratcliffe said, "You can't run a club by reacting immediately to comments made by a journalist every week."

If Amorim loses his job in the coming weeks or months, many words will be used, but immediate reaction won't be one of them. Amorim has managed 34 Premier League matches, losing half of them. The 37 points he has earned during this period are nothing more than relegation form.

Jim Ratcliffe in the stands during United's 3-0 defeat to Manchester City

Surprisingly, United haven't won consecutive league matches under Amorim, and if they don't beat Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, that streak will continue until November.

Comparisons to Arteta

The obvious conclusion is that if results don't improve, Amorim will be sacked soon, no matter what Ratcliffe says publicly. His comments aren't helpful because they lack credibility.

No one expects Amorim to last that long, even the manager himself. He has often given the impression that spending three years at Old Trafford is his last hope. Unless there's a dramatic change, it would be ridiculous for United to remain tied to Amorim for three years.

Two possible outcomes could emerge from Ratcliffe's comments. Either United stand their ground and give Amorim a three-year reprieve despite all the evidence, or the co-owner faces awkward questions about why he "reacted without thinking."

United have already been eliminated from the Carabao Cup, and therefore the FA Cup is their only chance to win silverware. Is Ratcliffe suggesting that another trophyless season, finishing at the bottom, will be a waste? Will Amorim be given more time and support in the next transfer window? Patience with a manager is an admirable quality; not superstition.

Is Ratcliffe saying that another trophyless season, finishing at the bottom, will be a waste?

How committed United are to Amorim will only become clear next month. According to reports, if Amorim is dismissed before November 1st, the first anniversary of his arrival, he will receive compensation of £12 million. If Ratcliffe's trust in Amorim is due to financial reasons, it's no surprise. After the costly mistakes with Erik ten Hag and Dan Ashworth, admitting another mistake would be painful. Ratcliffe has insisted that he will make United "the most profitable football club in the world," and high paychecks don't help matters.

In defense of Amorim, Ratcliffe pointed to Mikel Arteta and his "bad first few years." However, Arsenal won the FA Cup in Arteta's first season and slumped to eighth in the Premier League table.

Arteta's priority was to strengthen the defense, adopting a 3-4-3 system, but also switching to his preferred 4-3-3 system with a long-term plan. With early trophies and an improved defensive record, Arteta had the time and authority to make changes to the team. In contrast, Amorim came in with his 3-4-2-1 strategy and stuck to it. Almost a year later, United's defense remains weak, and their attacking players rarely perform well. There's a structure in place, but no clear strategy.

Before the next international break, United will visit Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham, as well as host Brighton. Last season, they managed just one point in these matches. United need results. Unless they come quickly, it's unlikely Amorim will even get three weeks.