Ruben Amorim has candidly admitted to making mistakes during his time as manager of Manchester United, describing the experience as a crucial period of personal and professional growth.

The Portuguese coach, speaking at his first press conference since being appointed as AC Milan’s new head coach, reflected on his 14-month spell in the Premier League — a tenure that ended with his dismissal in January. He acknowledged that while the job was demanding, it offered valuable lessons for his managerial career.

“It’s difficult to explain the mistakes because, to do that, I would have to go into the full context of my last adventure,” Amorim said. “It’s not easy to list every error. What I can say is that I learned a great deal, and yes, I made some mistakes.”

Amorim also expressed remorse for not having had the chance to personally thank Manchester United supporters. “I didn’t get the opportunity, and I’m truly sorry for that, to say something directly to the Manchester United fans. I’m very proud to have been their coach during that year,” he added.

At 41, Amorim took charge of Manchester United in November 2024 following Erik ten Hag’s departure. However, he struggled to change the team’s fortunes, leading them to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League and suffering defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final.

Although United were sixth in the table when he was dismissed, Amorim’s preference for a 3-4-3 formation and his limited use of academy players drew criticism from both fans and pundits.

“But now it’s a new chapter,” Amorim explained. “There were many things I could have done better in my previous role, but that’s part of learning. You must experience challenges to discover the right balance and reach another level — that’s my approach here.”

During his time at Old Trafford, Amorim managed 63 matches in total, winning 25 and losing 23. In 47 Premier League fixtures, he secured only 15 victories, giving him an average of 1.23 points per game — the lowest record of any Manchester United manager in the Premier League era.

“Everyone learns from experience,” Amorim reiterated on Wednesday. “I’ve learned a lot. I made some mistakes. There are things I’ll try to change and others that will always stay the same. But I believe I’ll become a better manager because of it.”

Amorim has now signed a three-year contract with AC Milan, succeeding Massimiliano Allegri as head coach, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his managerial career.