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Ruben Amorim senses fear among Man Utd players, but he sees it as a positive sign

Originally posted on HITC | By Vatsal Gupta | Last updated Aug 16, 2025 8:21 AM ET

There’s a clear shift in Ruben Amorim’s outlook compared to last season, and while results will ultimately shape the narrative, the difference is noticeable.

Luke Shaw has spoken about how much better the dressing room atmosphere feels, and the new signings seem to have settled in quickly. Amorim has managed to bring everyone together.

This season, without any European commitments, United will mostly play once a week. That should give Amorim more time to work with his squad during training.

But that schedule is already having an effect on the players’ mentality. The manager mentioned that some are already ‘scared’ of one thing – though he sees it as a positive shift from last year’s struggles.

Ruben Amorim admits Man Utd players have one fear

United fans are still haunted by memories of a mentally fragile side, so hearing Amorim mention his players being ‘scared’ naturally raised a few eyebrows.

But this time, the context is different. Last season, United’s lack of mental toughness was often cited as a major issue. This time, though, Amorim is speaking about something more positive.

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The manager told United’s matchday programme ahead of the Arsenal clash that the fear he sees now is actually healthy.

“There’s a good thing called ‘competition’. The players know there are no European games. You can only start 11 players,” he said. “I can already feel that the players are scared when they miss one game to rest; they want to get their place back straight away. This is good.”

It’s a sign that things have changed under Amorim. There’s real competition for places now, and even without European fixtures, every spot in the lineup feels up for grabs.

Amorim faces true scrutiny this season

He had a free hit for the entire 2024/25 season while he was in charge at Old Trafford, and all the noises coming from the camp this season are positive.

This year, however, results and performances will be what define his tenure, not just progress behind the scenes.

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Amorim has already acknowledged that another poor stretch like last year won’t be tolerated. To his credit, the team has shown signs of improvement during pre-season.

The real test will come when competitive matches begin. That’s when we’ll see how they handle pressure and respond to setbacks.

Having players eager to play every match is a major plus. It creates internal competition and pushes everyone to maintain high standards throughout the campaign.

Amorim promised at the end of last season that “good days are coming.” While no one is demanding a title challenge yet, noticeable progress is now expected.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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