Ruben Amorim urges Man Utd to turn Old Trafford into a fortress

Ruben Amorim stressed the importance of turning Old Trafford back into “an enjoyable place” for Manchester United fans as he seeks to chip away at nervousness and create a fortress.

Last season was the club’s worst top-flight campaign since relegation in 1974 and saw the misfiring Red Devils suffer nine home defeats in the Premier League.

It represented United’s joint-most home losses in a single league campaign, yet three months on there is a sense of renewed hope, thanks in no small part to some eye-catching signings, as they return to Old Trafford.

Sunday. Old Trafford. We will be there.

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 16, 2025

Amorim’s refreshed side open their campaign against title challengers Arsenal on Sunday, when he wants to start to changing the feeling within the stadium.

Asked if it is important that United makes Old Trafford a difficult place for opposition teams, he said: “And an enjoyable place for our fans. That is really important.

“But we don’t have to think about… it’s just one game against Arsenal, against one team that everyone in this room thinks Arsenal is going to win.

“I know that, so we’ll be there on Sunday to change things.”

Pushed on whether it became a mental issue for his players, Amorim continued: “It’s not a mental thing. It’s not just for the players, it’s also for the fans.

“Even the (pre-season) game against Fiorentina you can feel it. The fans are a little bit nervous.

“This feeling is not [clicks finger] just one day, one game, so it’s a feeling that we have to fight everyone together – the players, the coaches and the fans – and we are going to change things.”

There is certainly a different feeling heading into the campaign than this time last year, when Erik ten Hag admitted