It took Rúben Amorim 11 months, 35 matches, and countless doubts to find this breakthrough. The Portuguese coach had once admitted his Manchester United side might be “the worst in the club’s history.” His position looked fragile, and only minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s public support stopped the rumours from consuming him.
Then came Anfield — the home of United’s fiercest rivals and their greatest pain. There, Amorim’s men finally fought like a Manchester United team again.
A win defined by spirit and steel
This was no opportunistic win like last December’s surprise at Manchester City. United started sharp and confident. Bryan Mbeumo struck early, and Amorim’s players defended with conviction. For most of the game, they held their shape, frustrated Liverpool, and looked unshakable in moments of pressure.
When Cody Gakpo equalised in the 78th minute, it felt like the usual collapse was coming. Instead, Bruno Fernandes produced a moment of brilliance with a perfect cross, and Harry Maguire powered home a dramatic header. Amorim admitted his side had “some luck,” but this was built on belief and hard work.
The 2-1 victory was United’s first at Anfield in nine years and their first pair of back-to-back league wins under Amorim. “The biggest win of my time at Manchester United,” said the 40-year-old with quiet pride.
For once, Amorim allowed himself to celebrate. As 3,000 travelling fans roared in delight, he joined them briefly, soaking in the emotion that had been missing for months. It felt like a step forward — not the destination, but a beginning.
Asked later if his “storm” had passed, echoing his early optimism after a 4-0 win against Everton last December, Amorim stayed cautious. “I have no idea,” he said. “If we show this spirit every day, we’ll win a lot more. But we must keep working. It’s been a good day. Now we move on to Brighton.”
Momentum must now become consistency
Amorim knows this victory will mean little if it isn’t followed by more. Even optimistic fans, like Frank Ilett — who promised a haircut after five straight wins — will hold off the celebrations. The next three matches against Brighton, Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham will reveal whether United have truly turned a corner.
In the past two seasons, United have taken no points from those same fixtures. Former captain Roy Keane warned against overconfidence. “The players will feel better,” he said. “But this must be a launchpad, not a one-off.”
Harry Maguire, who tasted victory at Anfield for the first time, agreed. “We haven’t given the fans enough moments like this,” he said. “Football is about creating memories. Today we go home happy — but we can’t get carried away.”
Maguire’s story mirrors the team’s own resilience. Stripped of the captaincy, dropped by Ten Hag, and close to joining West Ham, he stayed and fought. When Amorim arrived and chose Matthijs de Ligt instead, Maguire kept pushing until he reclaimed his place. Now, deep into the final year of his contract, he’s even ready to accept a pay cut to stay.
“This club brings huge pressure,” Amorim said. “Harry is vital for us. After all he’s endured, he’s a great example for younger players.”
A fragile calm, but belief stirs again
Amorim knows he remains under scrutiny. Another home defeat to Brighton — which would be United’s fourth in a row against them at Old Trafford — could bring the criticism roaring back. Many pundits still question whether he will last until the end of the season, despite Ratcliffe’s talk of a long-term project.
Yet Amorim draws strength from the fans who have never stopped singing his name. They’ve watched defeats to Grimsby and Brentford but stayed loyal through every setback.
“It’s not normal to have this kind of support,” Amorim said. “So many bad moments, and still they stand by me. Everyone said I’d be gone by Christmas. I want them to keep saying that — it drives me.”
He smiled before leaving the room. “We haven’t had many nights like this,” he said. “Our fans have suffered too long. Tonight they saw a team that fought for them. This win is theirs.”
