Two years and four windows... United now realise how long it will take for Ruben to finally get his way

MANCHESTER UNITED chiefs may have to ditch their Project 150 dream after realising that it will take Ruben Amorim years to build a team capable of challenging for the Premier League.

- SIMON MULLOCK

Chief executive Omar Berrada announced last summer that co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe had set his sights on bringing the title back to Old Trafford by 2028 to celebrate United's 150th anniversary.

But the stark reality of the monumental task facing manager Amorim has since kicked in.

There is an acceptance inside the boardroom that the Portuguese, 40, is being forced to work, as one insider described it, "with his hands tied behind his back".

That is due to the poor state of the squad he inherited from former boss Erik ten Hag and the perilous financial position of the club.

United expected better results than those Amorim has delivered - just 10 wins in 25 games.

But, with Ratcliffe's INEOS Group currently overhauling United - from academy level to the first-team squad, after striking an ownership pact with the Glazer family a year ago - there's an awareness that Amorim must be given time if he can't be bankrolled in the transfer market.