Arteta's slow progress buys Amorim time

RUBEN Amorim will have been grateful to head into the international break with a win under his belt.

- By ALEX JAMES

Sir Jim Ratcliffe referenced Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta as an example of patience paying off

The under-pressure Manchester United boss saw his side beat Sunderland 2-0 last time out to move into the top half of the Premier League table after a wretched start to the season.

Amorim was then backed by United minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who said he would judge the Portuguese over three years. Amorim has yet to reach 12 months in charge at Old Trafford, and Ratcliffe used Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has a yardstick for patience.

"Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years," Ratcliffe told The Times' The Business podcast.

"Football is not overnight. It's three years. You also look at Arteta. He had a miserable time over the first couple of years."