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Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim thinks it is important the investor went public with his long-term thoughts - but states nothing is guaranteed about the future in the sport, let alone three years.

Through a conversation with a major publication in recent days, Ratcliffe said it could take the manager three years to make a significant impact at the Theatre of Dreams.

Emerging in an era when the coach's tenure has been receiving close inspection after a prolonged run of unsatisfactory outcomes, the statements assisted in calming some of the immediate pressure.

But, speaking before the 100th meeting with traditional foes Liverpool at the famous stadium, Amorim underscored that the future is hard to predict in soccer.

"It is really good to listen to that but he informs me all the time, sometimes with a message post fixtures - but understand, I know and the co-owner recognizes, that soccer doesn't work that way," he said.

"The vital factor is the following fixture. Despite having backers, you cannot manage the future in the sport."

CEO the club executive has acknowledged it has needed far longer for the head coach to adjust to the English top flight following his move from his former club in November than anyone imagined.

United have won 10 victories in 34 Premier League matches with the Portuguese coach. They still haven't achieved two league games in a row and didn't complete a fixture schedule in the current term better than ninth place.

The dire statistics are stretching belief in Amorim among the Old Trafford faithful approaching a stretch of fixtures the side has performed poorly in for the last couple of years.

United's boss commented he does not feel the instability inside the club at the club's Carrington training ground and is adamant nothing equals the stress he places on his players - and to some extent, he would prefer Ratcliffe not to be trying to establish serenity because he is concerned about the impact it could have on the players.

"It isn't merely something people discuss, I sense it each day," he remarked. "It's really good to hear it because it assists our supporters to grasp the management understand it will require a period.

"Yet concurrently, I dislike it because it gives a feeling that we own time to solve problems. I don't desire that feeling in our organization.

"The pressure I apply to the team or on myself is so much bigger [than that from outside]. In soccer, particularly at major teams, you need to prove yourself every weekend."

Associated subjects

• The Red Devils
• Top division
• Soccer