Bryan Robson issues clear verdict on Ruben Amorim and Man Utd's summer transfers

Manchester United legend Bryan Robson has agreed with Jim Ratcliffe's claim that Ruben Amorim needs three years at Old Trafford, and is a big fan of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha

Manchester United legend Bryan Robson says Ruben Amorim needs three seasons at Old Trafford before a proper judgement can be made on the Portuguese head coach. A month ago, Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe said the former Sporting CP manager would be given three years to prove himself, and Robson believes that will be required for Amorim to truly settle.

The Portuguese coach signed Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha this summer, with Robson having been impressed by them so far. Captain Marvel believes the additions have already seen the Red Devils progress.

"I was a manager myself and I always felt that as a manager, you need three years to actually get a settled team for what you want to achieve," Robson said. "It is only very early for him and we have made some really good signings. I can see us developing that little bit better and the club have got to give him that time.

"The fans have been really patient with him and it is just the players playing the best football they can, and supporting the manager.

"Mbeumo and Cunha are both quality players. I just feel they will get better and better as the season goes on and they get used to the quality that the other lads have got.

"Casemiro is a great passer of the ball and Bruno Fernandes had two fantastic seasons. He's a bit slow starting this season, but when he comes into top form, we've got great quality to score and create goals within the squad."

Club captain Fernandes has been criticised at times for his body language and perceived lack of leadership skills. In February, Roy Keane accused the Portuguese midfielder of not being a "fighter".

"When you're playing well, everybody is happy and nobody mentions anything," Robson explained. "If you get off to a slow start, which Bruno has this season, people always want to criticise.

"Bruno is a quality player and he is brilliant around the club. He is very humble and he greets everyone and has good camaraderie with people.

"People say he doesn't crunch into tackles but not all players can do that. Some players are tacklers and some players are playmakers, which Bruno is."

So far this season, Manchester United have won five out of 10 games in the Premier League, including beating Liverpool at Anfield. As things stand, they are only two points behind Manchester City in second.

"We're going OK - a bit of an improvement from last year," Robson added. "But I'd still like to see us get a bit more solid and not concede so many goals if we want to get up there.

"For me, we have the quality and the ability now, especially with the new signings, to be able to go on and get into Europe and hopefully have an even better time by getting into the Champions League. I think that is possible this year, especially with being out of Europe, where the players are going to be that little bit fresher, and you're not going to get as many suspensions.

"I'm hoping that we can have a far better season than last season. I think we can get into Europe - that is really possible. Then you just need that little bit more quality and confidence to actually get in the Champions League."

Bryan Robson was speaking at the North West Football Awards, where he was presented with the Lifetime Contribution Award in recognition of his services to football, both as a player and manager.