It took Rúben Amorim 11 months and 35 matches to find his defining moment. The Portuguese coach had once admitted his team might be “the worst Manchester United side in history.” He faced doubts about his future, constant scrutiny, and needed Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s public backing to silence growing speculation.
Then came Anfield — the fiercest of stages. Against their biggest rivals, United finally looked alive again.
United fight, suffer and finally conquer
This was no opportunistic smash-and-grab like the win at Manchester City last December. Amorim’s team started with intensity and belief. Bryan Mbeumo scored early, setting the tone. United fought for every ball and defended with heart as Liverpool pushed harder.
When Cody Gakpo equalised in the 78th minute, Anfield erupted. The old United might have folded, but this side refused. Bruno Fernandes produced a stunning cross, and Harry Maguire powered home the winner. Amorim later admitted there was “some luck,” but it was earned through discipline and grit.
The 2-1 triumph ended a nine-year wait for victory at Anfield and marked the first back-to-back league wins of Amorim’s reign. “The biggest win in my time at Manchester United,” he said afterward, visibly relieved.
He celebrated with 3,000 travelling fans, matching their joy for a few seconds before regaining composure. The win felt like a spark, not yet a fire, but something to build on.
Asked later if his “storm” had passed — a phrase he used after beating Everton 4-0 last December — Amorim smiled. “I have no idea,” he said. “If we keep this spirit in training and in games, we’ll win many more. But we must keep acting. It’s been a good day. Now we move on to Brighton.”
Staying grounded after a defining win
Amorim knows momentum can vanish fast. Supporters like Frank Ilett, who vowed a haircut after five straight wins, may not need scissors yet. United’s next three games — Brighton, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham — will show whether this victory was progress or illusion.
They’ve taken no points from those fixtures in two seasons. Former captain Roy Keane warned against complacency. “The players will return to training in a better place,” he said. “But this has to be a launchpad.”
Harry Maguire, enjoying his first Anfield win as a United player, echoed that tone. “We haven’t given fans enough days like this,” he said. “Football is about memories. Today we go home happy — but we can’t get carried away.”
Maguire’s revival mirrors United’s resilience. Written off by Ten Hag, stripped of the captaincy, and almost sold to West Ham, he stayed to fight. Even after Amorim initially chose Matthijs de Ligt, Maguire battled back. Now, with his contract nearing its end, he’s ready to take a pay cut to stay.
“This club brings huge pressure,” Amorim said. “Harry is vital for us. After everything he’s faced, he’s a model for every young player.”
Pressure never sleeps, but belief returns
Amorim’s position remains under scrutiny. Another home defeat to Brighton — United’s fourth straight against them at Old Trafford — could reopen old wounds. Many pundits still expect his tenure to end before next summer, despite Ratcliffe’s talk of a three-year plan.
But Amorim has learned to feed off pressure. What fuels him most is the loyalty of fans who stayed patient through humiliation at Grimsby and the pain of defeats against Brentford.
“It’s not normal to have supporters like this,” he said. “So many bad moments, and still they support me. Everyone said I’d be gone by Christmas. I want them to keep saying that — it helps me.”
He smiled before leaving the press room. “We haven’t had many wins like this,” he said. “Our fans have suffered enough. Tonight, they finally saw fight, pride, and belief. This win is for them.”
