Ruben Amorim faces tougher challenge than Sir Alex Ferguson - Man United legend

Manchester United legend Bryan Robson believes that Ruben Amorim has taken on a tougher challenge at Old Trafford than the one Sir Alex Ferguson faced almost 40 years ago.

When Ferguson arrived in Manchester in November 1986, United were struggling at the wrong end of the table.

Even with Robson, who was at the peak of his powers, the team finished the season in a disappointing 11th place.

It took Ferguson three-and-a-half years to save his job by winning the FA Cup and another three to end United’s 26-year wait for the league title.

But once he had established his reign, Ferguson went on to become the club’s most successful manager in history.

Robson now suggests that Ruben Amorim faces an even greater challenge in rebuilding the squad, with expectations higher than ever.

“Amorim has got a massive job on his hands,” he said via the Mirror.

“Sir Alex had a similar rebuild. But when he came into the club, he brought Eric Harrison, Brian Kidd, and Nobby Stiles onto the staff and said ‘go out and bring me the best young players from around Manchester.’

“I think it’s a lot tougher for Amorim because of the competition. Man United was massive back in the day and people weren’t talking as much about clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal.”

Robson, who joined from West Brom in a British record £1.5million deal in 1981, acknowledges the contribution captain Bruno Fernandes is making to Amorim’s struggling team. However, the 68-year-old has urged the Portuguese playmaker to cut out some of his theatrics.

He added: “Bruno has been in fantastic form in the last two months. I think the manager has told him ‘you’ve got to be a leader on the pitch.’

“Bruno is so confident at the moment and he’s making a massive difference. Bruno has done what I’d expect of a United captain. Unfortunately, the team hasn’t been good enough to win as many major trophies as a club like Manchester United should win.”