JIMMY FLOYD HASSELBAINK believes Manchester United are no better now than they were 12 months ago.
That was when took charge.
"Where?!? Where have they improved?" 🤨
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 12, 2025
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink laughs off suggestions that Manchester United have improved during Ruben Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford and that they have a 'lot of work to do'. pic.twitter.com/FgPKz4LAP3
Ruben Amorim has presented more questions than answers over the past yearCredit: Getty
Hasselbaink is not so sure that Amorim really will bring the glory days againCredit: X @SkySportsNews
The Portuguese boss has had ups and downs so far as head coach, but a 15th place finish in the Premier League led to increased scrutiny.
Despite a five-match unbeaten run in the league which featured a 2-1 win against at Anfield, there still appears to be question marks surrounding United.
Speaking on Sky Sports News , Hasselbaink said: “Where, where have they improved? I don’t think they have improved, I’m sorry.
“They have not scored more goals, they have not had less goals against, they have not won any trophies.”
Since Amorim took charge, United have scored 51 Premier League goals and conceded 60.
The highlight of Amorim’s tenure so far has been reaching the Europa League final last season, where the Red Devils were beaten 1-0 by Tottenham in Bilbao.
Hasselbaink added: “Yes, they have been in a final in Europe but lost against a poor side, Tottenham were a poor side last year.
“He has got a lot of work to do, a lot of work.”
The Dutchman played in the Premier League between 1997 and 2007, having spells at Leeds, Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Charlton – broken up by a season in Spain at Atletico Madrid in 1999/2000.
During that time, United were a formidable force under Sir Alex Ferguson, so Hasselbaink would have come up against some of the finest teams the Scot assembled.
He made a brief reference to that period, saying: “I don’t think they are creative enough, not like they used to be.”
Hasselbaink’s comparison is one that United suffer from regularly because of the ridiculously high bar that Ferguson’s sides have set.
Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system is tried and proven in Portugal, where he won two Liga Portuguesa titles with Sporting Lisbon. The one he won in 2020/21 broke the 18-year duopoly of FC Porto and Benfica winning the league.
The current style of play is not traditionally part of the club’s DNA, and it symbolises the culture shift that has happened since Ferguson retired 12 years ago.
Everything is different about United now to what it was back then. It’s now Amorim’s task to rebuild in his own image with the backing of INEOS, who purchased a 27 per cent stake in the club 19 months ago.
United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe consoles Amorim after the Europa League final in MayCredit: Alamy
In an interview with The Times last month, INEOS CEO Sir Jim Ratcliffe said: “Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be – three years. Because football is not overnight.
“It’s three years. You also look at Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. He had a miserable time over the first couple of years.
“We have to be patient. We have a long-term plan. It isn’t a light switch.”
History suggests that Ratcliffe won’t be so patient.
The English businessman has during his time as owner of Nice since 2019.
United also in October of last year, just four months after he signed a new contract.
The truth is, at an institution like United the manager is always under pressure, and this season will be a telling one for Amorim whichever way it ends.
