Manchester United’s head coach, Ruben Amorim, delivered a scathing assessment of his team’s performance following a 2-0 defeat to West Ham United on May 11, 2025, at Old Trafford, describing the display as “embarrassing” and urging the club to take bold action in the summer transfer window. The loss, which saw United slump to 16th in the Premier League standings with just two matches remaining, marked their 17th top-flight defeat of the season, a campaign Amorim labeled as unacceptable for a club of United’s stature. Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen scored for West Ham, capitalizing on a lackluster United performance that exposed deep-rooted issues within the squad.
Amorim, who took charge in November 2024, did not mince words in his post-match press conference, highlighting a “lack of urgency” and a troubling culture within the team. “I have that feeling, that lack of urgency in everything we do. It’s a big concern,” he said, as reported by ESPN. The Portuguese manager, who has guided United to the Europa League final despite their domestic struggles, emphasized the need for a significant squad overhaul. “We need to be really strong in the summer and be brave. We will not have a next season like this,” he declared, hinting that players unwilling to fight for the club’s badge should be shown the door.
The defeat to West Ham, their first Premier League win at Old Trafford since 2007, underscored United’s fragility at home, with nine of their 17 league losses coming on their own turf. Amorim’s frustration was palpable as he spoke of a team that has “lost the feeling of being a massive club,” a sentiment echoed by Sky Sports. He pointed to a worrying mentality among the players, noting that some seem to accept defeat too readily. “Everybody has to think seriously about a lot of things here,” he added, suggesting that the club’s issues run deeper than tactics or formations.
Amorim’s call for bravery in the transfer market aligns with earlier reports from The Athletic, which detailed his vision for a major squad reshape to suit his preferred 3-4-2-1 system. Players like Casemiro, whose declining mobility and high salary make him a candidate for departure, and others deemed unfit for Amorim’s high-intensity approach could face uncertain futures. ESPN’s analysis of United’s squad suggested that veterans like Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof, as well as injury-prone players like Luke Shaw, may not fit into the long-term plans. Meanwhile, young talents like Amad Diallo, who showed flashes of quality against West Ham, could be central to Amorim’s rebuild.
The manager’s comments also raised questions about his own future, with Amorim candidly admitting that he may not remain at the club if he cannot change the prevailing culture. “If the feeling is still here, we should give space to different persons,” he said, as quoted by The Athletic. This stark admission, coupled with United’s dismal league form—only six Premier League wins under Amorim since November—has intensified scrutiny on his tenure, despite the prospect of Europa League success securing Champions League qualification.
The defeat has also fueled discussions about the club’s direction under minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has overseen significant off-field changes but faces mounting pressure to deliver on-pitch results.