Jose Mourinho sends message to struggling Man Utd manager Ruben Amorim | Football

Jose Mourinho insists Ruben Amorim can count on his continued supportamid his Manchester United struggles.

Erik ten Hag’s successor was appointed in November and arrived at Old Trafford full of youthful enthusiasm, determined to mastermind the club’s revival.

A dismal run of results, culminating in Sunday’s limp FA Cup exit at the hands of Fulham, has seen much of that pep and vigour dissipate, giving way to familiar feelings of uncertainty.

Mourinho knows only too well the size of the task facing his young compatriot given his own experiences of managing United but he is hopeful Amorim can turn the tide.

‘He’s a good kid,’ the 62-year-old told Sky Sports. ‘Always very respectful to me. We had a good relationship for a few years. He knows I wish him well.’

United’s troubles are not limited to matters on the pitch, with upheaval at boardroom level and the cost-cutting decisions made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe rubbing fans up the wrong way and sparking protests.

‘To be honest I don’t know much about what’s happening,’ Mourinho added on the cuts.

‘I know Sir Jim Ratcliffe. I’m not saying we are big friends but we have a good relationship.

‘I know him well. He invited me to his house a couple of times. I see him as a good person and a great businessman.

‘Of course, I feel for some of the people that I know [losing their jobs], but hopefully it goes in the right direction.’

Amorim, meanwhile, remains convinced he is the man to reverse United’s fortunes but knows there are ‘consequences’ for poor form as he leads his misfiring, absentee-hit side to Real Sociedad.

The Europa League is now their only route to silverware, and realistically European qualification, and falling on the road to May’s Bilbao final could damage a rebuild that has started unconvincingly.

Amorim has even mentioned on a couple of occasions that United’s longer-term goals might ultimately be achieved by another manager, but he insists his self-confidence remains undimmed.

Asked ahead of the last-16 first-leg clash in Spain if he still has the belief that he can turn the club around, the head coach said: ‘Yes.

‘What I mean is that we have to think of the club as a long project and not just solve things in this moment and if we win the Europa League we’ll be in an amazing position in the next years.

‘Because the problems continue here, even with Champions League, so that’s what I want to say.

‘I know you guys make accounts of my season so I’m just trying to show that I don’t care and I’m really confident on the big goal of this club. That’s all. I’m trying to show the big picture to our supporters.’

Pushed on whether he believes he can be the man to spark a turnaround, Amorim said: ‘That is clear.

‘I know what to do, but sometimes it’s a lack of results and you have to win games, so I know the consequences when you don’t win games but I am really confident.

‘Since day one… a little bit more frustrated (now) but I am still confident.’

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