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Tim Howard Reflects on Manchester United's Decision to Approach Ruben Amorim

Itht be easy to assume that Manchester United's management has remained stagnant over the past ten years, with the same hands at the helm. However, the reality is that the club has undergone a change with INEOS now at the forefront. Yet, the recent move to approach Ruben Amorim seems to echo the missteps of the past, notably the return of Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite INEOS's involvement, the club's operations appear to be unchanged, with the Glazers still influential. This continuity is highlighted by the puzzling decision to part ways with Erik ten Hag, especially considering the club's current standing mirrors that of last season. While the FA Cup victory was significant, it's essential to consider the broader context; the team's performances and results were underwhelming. INEOS had previously backed Ten Hag, financially supporting him, only to see him leave after a poor start to the season. The issues that led to Ten Hag's departure are the same ones that plagued the club in June, including their playing style, the quality of signings, and their results. This raises questions about what, if anything, has been learned in the interim. Six months have passed, and with them, another transfer window and significant financial expenditure. Meanwhile, potential managerial candidates like Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino have moved on to other roles. Now, Ruben Amorim is in discussions to take over, a coach who was also highly regarded in the summer. His coaching abilities have not improved dramatically in the intervening months, which is concerning. This situation is reminiscent of the hasty decision to re-sign Cristiano Ronaldo in 2021. The decision to sign Ronaldo seemed like a last-minute reaction to Manchester City's interest, a decision that ultimately backfired. It's possible that a similar impulsive motivation is behind the decision to dismiss Ten Hag, especially considering City's previous interest in Amorim. Over the past decade, Manchester United has struggled to identify their desired managerial direction, cycling through several high-profile names without success. Now, they are turning to one of Europe's most promising young coaches. It's a trend seen across football, with young, tactically adept coaches like Xabi Alonso and Enzo Maresca gaining recognition. I am not opposed to Amorim's appointment; rather, I question whether the issue lies with the manager at all. Manchester United has a history of consuming managers, regardless of their experience. Perhaps it's time to consider a younger coach unburdened by past failures. Amorim has had success at Sporting and has a clear vision for his team. As someone who has been a player, a sporting director, and now an owner with Houston Dynamo,