Harry Maguire has given fans an inside look at how things went off the rails during Ruben Amorim’s rocky first months in charge of Manchester United — and more importantly, how the Portuguese coach is preparing to turn things around in his first full season at Old Trafford.
Amorim’s arrival last winter was meant to spark a revival after the messy dismissal of Erik ten Hag.
But instead of a dramatic turnaround, the new boss was left grappling with a team that struggled to adapt to his 3-4-3 system, producing inconsistent results and performances.
Early Struggles and Off-Field Disruptions
When Amorim stepped in, he inherited a squad that lacked the experience — and, according to Maguire, the physical readiness — to execute his high-energy style of play.
To make matters worse, Marcus Rashford pushed for a loan move in January, while tensions reportedly brewed between the manager and young star Alejandro Garnacho.
Despite some encouraging flashes, United finished a disappointing 16th in the league and missed out on European competition after losing the Europa League final to Tottenham.
Fresh Faces and a Full Pre-Season
This summer has brought a completely different energy to the club.
With a full pre-season under Amorim’s guidance and the addition of key signings like Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko, the mood is more optimistic.
Speaking to the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Maguire described the shift as a “fresh start” and praised the improved atmosphere in the dressing room.
“We want to be challenging at the top,” he said.
“Having had a full pre-season with the manager, we’re sharper, leaner, and fitter than last year.”
Building Physical Power and Tactical Discipline
One of Amorim’s main takeaways from last season was that United simply weren’t physically prepared for Premier League demands.
“We couldn’t run hard enough, and we didn’t win enough duels,” Maguire admitted.
Now, with enhanced fitness levels, there’s genuine competition for places and a sharper tactical edge.
The squad has also grown more comfortable with Amorim’s back-three system, which relies on aggressive, front-foot defending.
According to Maguire, last season’s slower transitions across the pitch were a direct result of poor conditioning — an issue they’ve now addressed.
Smarter, More Pragmatic Play
Amorim is tweaking United’s build-up play to reduce costly mistakes.
Maguire pointed out that last season, United played one of the highest numbers of short passes in their own defensive third — and gave the ball away there more than most.
This year, the aim is to maintain possession smartly without taking unnecessary risks.
The manager’s approach is more flexible than critics might think.
While some believe United are rigidly locked into a back-five formation, Maguire clarified that they often switch between back-three, back-four, and back-five shapes within games, depending on the situation.
Eyes on the New Season
For Maguire — who is entering the final year of his contract and attracting interest from European clubs — the upcoming season is a chance to showcase the new-look United.
The first real test comes next Sunday, when they host last season’s title challengers Arsenal at Old Trafford.
With a fitter squad, fresh signings, and a full pre-season of preparation, United fans are hoping Amorim’s “second debut” delivers the spark that was missing last year.
