🔗 Share this article

Manchester United head coach the Portuguese coach thinks it is important the investor went public with his future vision - but notes nothing is assured about tomorrow in football, let alone three years.

In an interview with a leading newspaper recently, Ratcliffe mentioned it may need the manager three years to make a significant impact at the Theatre of Dreams.

Emerging in an era when the coach's tenure has been under scrutiny following an extended sequence of poor performances, the comments helped quell some of the immediate pressure.

However, talking ahead of the centenary clash with historic adversaries the Merseyside club at Anfield, the manager underscored that what comes next is challenging to anticipate in the beautiful game.

"It is really good to hear it but he tells me constantly, occasionally through communication following matches - but you know, I know and Jim knows, that the sport isn't that predictable," he commented.

"The most important thing is the upcoming match. Regardless of investors, you cannot dictate the future in the sport."

Top executive Omar Berrada has acknowledged it has needed significantly extended periods for the head coach to adapt to the English top flight subsequent to his appointment from Sporting in November than anybody anticipated.

Manchester United have achieved 10 successes in 34 top-flight fixtures under the 40-year-old. They still haven't achieved consecutive league victories and have not ended a matchday this season above ninth position.

The worrying figures are testing faith in the head coach among the Red Devils supporters heading into a stretch of fixtures the side has performed poorly in for the past two seasons.

United's boss commented he doesn't sense the uncertainty internally at the team's practice complex and is insistent nothing compares to the expectation he puts on his players - and to some extent, he would rather Sir Jim to refrain from seeking to establish serenity because he worries the impact it could have on the players.

"It's not just something people discuss, I sense it daily," he remarked. "It's truly positive to hear it because it benefits our followers to understand the management realize it needs a while.

"Yet concurrently, I don't like it because it creates an impression that we possess time to solve problems. I don't want that sense in our club.

"The stress I apply to the team or to myself is so much bigger [versus outside influences]. In soccer, especially in big clubs, you must demonstrate your value each weekend."

Associated subjects

• Manchester United
• Premier League
• Soccer