Fergie gives damning verdict on Man Utd this season under Ruben Amorim

Sir Alex Ferguson has broken his silence on Manchester United’s torrid season, admitting that the club’s current plight under Ruben Amorim is “hard to watch” but urging patience as the Portuguese coach tries to turn the tide.

The legendary manager, who led United to 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League triumphs, spoke candidly at a charity event in Glasgow on Friday night, offering a rare glimpse into his thoughts on the Red Devils’ decline.

United sit 13th in the Premier League table with just 10 games remaining, a far cry from the glory days under Ferguson’s reign.

A run of five games without a win, capped by a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest last weekend, has piled pressure on Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag in November. Ferguson, now 83 and a regular at Old Trafford as a director, didn’t mince words about the team’s struggles but stopped short of pointing fingers.

“It’s tough seeing United where they are,” Ferguson told attendees at the fundraiser for a local youth football initiative.

“I’ve watched every game this season, and it’s been hard—honestly, harder than I expected. The lads aren’t clicking yet, and you can see the confidence isn’t there. But it’s a process. You don’t fix 10 years of drift overnight.”

Ferguson’s comments come amid growing unrest among fans, with some calling for Amorim’s head just five months into his tenure. The former Sporting CP boss has won only six of his 19 matches across all competitions, and his 3-4-2-1 system has yet to yield consistent results.

Yet Ferguson, who knows a thing or two about building dynasties, preached perspective. “When I started in ’86, we were nowhere near the top,” he recalled. “It took time—four years—to win the league. Amorim’s got a big job, but he’s got ideas. Give him a chance.”

The Scot also touched on the club’s youth prospects, a nod to his own legacy of promoting academy talent.

“There’s some good kids coming through,” he said, likely referencing the likes of Amir Ibragimov, who scored six in an U18s rout of Blackburn on Friday, and Kobbie Mainoo, a rare bright spot in the senior side.

“That’s always been United’s strength—trusting the young ones.”

Ferguson’s words carry weight at a time when United face a pivotal week, with a Manchester derby against City looming on Sunday. A defeat could deepen the gloom, but the former boss remained philosophical.

“You’ve got to take the rough with the smooth in football,” he said. “City are flying, but derbies are funny—they don’t always follow form. I’d love to see the lads give them a bloody nose.”

While Ferguson avoided direct criticism of Amorim or the Glazers—whose ownership has long been a lightning rod for fan discontent—his honest assessment underscores the scale of United’s challenge.

For supporters clinging to memories of his 26-year reign, it’s a reminder that even the greatest eras had rocky starts. Whether Amorim can heed the advice and steer United back to prominence remains the million-dollar question.