Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has just overseen the club’s worst-ever Premier League finish, but the man responsible tasked with ‘bringing the glory days again’ gave an admittedly inspiring motivational speech to close out the campaign.
Although former head coach ten Hag may have started the season in charge, his Portuguese successor brought an end to it that couldn’t have come sooner for supporters, who were treated to a rare win at Old Trafford this year as they won their last Premier League fixture of 2024/25 against Aston Villa 2-0.
Ruben’s Red Devils managed just 11 wins in the competition, and following the crushing blow that was the Europa League final, most fans just wanted it all to be over with.
However, as is often the case with football, a passionate speech by their gaffer was more than enough to get many of those who had their heads down ready and raring to go again next season, with Amorim addressing the crowd directly from the pitch after the full-time whistle.
The 40-year-old began by apologising for what he went on to dub a “disaster season”, acknowledging that he understands how “disappointed” fans have felt throughout his tenure thus far – especially following the collective heartbreak of the final – before going on to thank them for their faith and loyalty.
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But it was one particular line that seemed to stir a fair amount of determination up in the stands, among those watching at home, and presumably within the players stood clapping from the centre-circle behind him: “The good days are coming.”
Reflecting his warning of the impending “storm” when he arrived at the club and alluding to the club’s long history of making it through much tougher times, such as the Munich Air Disaster, he urged those looking on not to get “stuck in the past” and fight amongst each other but to “move forward.”
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He also took a moment to apologise to his own players, adding: “I want to say sorry also to my players; sometimes I was not fair, but I always try to be honest with you guys.”
Whether or not this particular part of the speech was an attempt to get some squad members back on side who may or may not be looking to move elsewhere (i.e. reportedly unhappy Alejandro Garnacho, loanee Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, etc.), only time will tell.
One thing we do know is that the passionate and candid address got most of those inside Old Trafford, not to mention fans watching around Greater Manchester and beyond, up for the challenge.
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Finishing 15th on just 42 points may be their lowest-ever tally in the first division’s modern era, but you can guarantee that everyone around the club will be hoping it will prove to be little more than an outlier. The storm before the calm, even.
Amad Diallo himself, who has proved to be one of the few shining lights donning the famous shirt over the past year or so, already took to social media to write in a post: “I promise you that a season like this will never happen again at this great club.”
What about you, Reds – do you think he is the man who can turn things around? You can hear Ruben Amorim’s end-of-season speech in full down below.
Ruben rousing the Reds for a return to the ‘good days’.
Featured Images — MUTV (screenshots via YouTube)/Manchester United (via X)
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Manc born and bred rugby star Raffi Quirke is leaving Sale Sharks
Danny Jones
Manchester-born and bred rugby union star Raffi Quirke is leaving his boyhood club, Sale Sharks, this season.
The end of an era, but the beginning of a big new chapter for the youngster.
Still just 24, Raffi Quirke from Chorlton has been with Sale since he was a kid, coming through the youth system at Broughton Park before making his proper Sharks debut back in February 2021.
Just a few short years later, and Quirke – the number nine who became Sharks Academy graduate number 333 – has gone on to become a promising first team squad member with a bright future ahead of him. However, the next part of his career won’t be at the CorpAcq Stadium.
Since playing his first senior game as a 19-year-old, he’s gone on to make 31 starts from 80 appearances for the club, as well as earning a couple of caps for England.
Despite being more of an option off the bench during the current campaign, Quirke has shown great resilience in bouncing back from numerous injuries, including everything from a broken jaw and broken wrist to ruptured ligaments, among other problems.
Speaking about his pending departure, Raffi said: “This has been the hardest decision of my life so far because Sale is the club that I grew up supporting and dreaming of playing for.
“Playing here since I was 15 has been an amazing experience and a privilege that has shaped me as a player and a person, and I will be forever grateful to Alex [Sanderson], the owners, the coaches, the players and the supporters for truly believing in me.
“It goes without saying that I will give everything I have for the rest of the season to bring success to Sale.” He has also gone on to share a lengthier farewell statement.
"This has been the hardest decision of my life so far…"
Put simply, the still-developing scrum-half wants to search out new opportunities, adding: “I feel, for my rugby and personal development, that my story just needs a new challenge and a new setting.”
As for Sanderson, the Director of Rugby commented, “I’ve really enjoyed working with Raffi, and as a homegrown player who grew up supporting the club, we all would have loved for him to continue his career with us.
“He feels like he wants to try a new environment and a new challenge, and we respect his decision. He’ll leave with our blessing and thanks for everything that he’s given to the club while he’s been here.”
Macclesfield FC announce signing of National League player from local rivals
Danny Jones
After their magical FA Cup victory this past weekend, Macclesfield FC have followed up the good news by announcing the signing of a player not only from the division above, but one leaving an old rival club here in the North West.
What a time to be a fan of The Silkmen.
Yes, just a couple of days after knocking out the holders, Crystal Palace, and progressing to the next round, Macclesfield were jokingly being linked with all manner of talent, from Messi to Bruno Fernandes, but they have still managed to secure a new player in the middle of the park from the National League.
Dropping down a level to the sixth tier of English football, the now ex-Altrincham FC midfielder Elliot Osborne has been officially unveiled, swapping red stripes for blue and white.
Confirmed on 12 January, the 29-year-old Port Vale academy graduate is no stranger to the region, having previously represented the likes of Nantwich Town, Tranmere Rovers, Southport and two loan spells at Stockport County.
Born in Stoke-on-Trent and spending several years up and down the EFL, as well as various non-league teams, he joined Alty FC back in 2022 and went on to make nearly two centuries’ worth of appearances.
However, despite playing a key role for The Robins – competing in the 2023/24 playoffs and even helping former employers beat his new ones at Macclesfield in an FA Trophy penalty shoot-out just last season – the captain was released from the local club by mutual consent this month.
Commenting on his arrival, the club said in a statement: “The combative, hard-working midfielder adds great experience to the Silkmen midfield ranks.
“Please join us in giving Elliot a warm welcome to the Leasing.com Stadium, and we wish him every success during his time with the Silkmen.”
It remains to be seen how much more business the formerly Robbie Savaged backed and managed side will do in the remainder of the January transfer window.
Despite having limited resources, currently placed 14th in the National League North, it’s fair to say there’s been so fresh interest in the project following their ‘David and Goliath’ story.
The aforementioned ‘cup-set’ against Palace has quickly gone down as one of the competition’s most memorable and magical ties in recent memory, and Osborne will no doubt be looking forward to seeing how far they can go in the knockout tournament.
You can watch his first interview in full down below.
Danny Jones -
26th May 2025 
