Sir Alex Ferguson exclusive: "It could be 10 years" before Man Utd win League, verdict on Amorim and World Cup tip

Collaborating with talent is a Press Box PR speciality, and while on site in Bahrain, we caught up with the Premier League’s greatest ever manager.

In a candid and wide-ranging new interview with Press Box PR, legendary former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, opened up about the future of Manchester United under Ruben Amorim, the potential timeline for a Premier League title return and his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo.

Speaking from Bahrain, where he was attending to his horse racing interests, Ferguson also gave a surprising prediction for the next World Cup and discussed the club's new recruitment strategy.

Key takeaways for fans

• Title Drought Warning: Ferguson warns it could be "10 or 11 years" before United win the league again, comparing the current cycle to Liverpool’s 30-year wait.
• Ruben Amorim: He praises Amorim’s "personality" but insists recruitment must improve.
• Ronaldo: Describes their relationship as "fantastic" and praises his work ethic.
• World Cup Prediction: Tips the team that beats Brazil to win the tournament.
• New Signings: Highlights the impact of Senne Lammens, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha on the squad's form.

Sir Alex on Ruben Amorim and Man Utd's title chances

Q: Are you optimistic for the future at United with Ruben Amorim?

Sir Alex Ferguson: "He [Amorim] is a good personality. It is not easy. I remember looking back on my own time there, starting off when Liverpool were the bee’s knees. They were a fantastic club winning the European Cup four times and all that, but then it took them 31 years to win the league again.

"We are now in the same situation. It could be ten years, could be 11 years, because of that cycle. It has to be thought out carefully and we have to make sure the recruitment is going to be better than what it was."

Q: Are you happy now the tide looks to have turned at Old Trafford?

Sir Alex Ferguson: "I think the appointment of the goalkeeper [Senne Lammens] has made a difference. He's young at 23, he’s quick, a big lad, good feet and hands, and I think that helps. I think they have needed that player. United have always had inspirational players over the years. I think that has helped.

"The other two, [Bryan] Mbeumo and [Matheus] Cunha, they look as if they will contribute to the recovery of our form."

Q: What was your secret when rebuilding football teams?

Sir Alex Ferguson: "I think my appetite was for young people and players. When I went to St Mirren, they had no money. The best thing I could do was sit at the coaching schools on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the young players, and then five ended up becoming internationals.

"Then I went to Aberdeen and continued that ethic; we won the European Cup without our own training ground and eight players were produced by the club. It was fantastic.

"When I went to United, Bobby Charlton was in the meeting and I said: 'I don’t know why you have appointed me unless you give me the reign to produce young players.' Bobby said, 'That’s done, you’ve got the job.' Bobby Charlton was a fantastic man."

On Cristiano Ronaldo and the 2026 World Cup

Q: Cristiano Ronaldo was very complimentary about you in his interview with Piers Morgan. How do you view that special relationship?

Sir Alex Ferguson: "It was fantastic. You get exceptional players in your lifetime. At 17 years of age, you knew there was something about him—not just his ability, but it was his desire to be the best. Every training session he played, he would practice after taking free kicks. He was phenomenal."

Q: Can Ronaldo win the World Cup in his swansong?

Sir Alex Ferguson: "Portugal have got good players. I always think of Brazil at the World Cup.

"The Brazilian players—I had the two young lads, twins, Rafael and Fabio. They were first rate in training every day, never wore [tracksuit] bottoms. They have a toughness about them, Brazilians. You see them on the beach for hours and hours every night playing.

"I think whoever beats Brazil will win the World Cup."

Sir Alex’s Passion: Horse racing and Spirit Dancer

Q: Seeing Spirit Dancer win the Bahrain Trophy twice—what did that mean to you?

Sir Alex Ferguson: "It was brilliant. It made the decision to bring him here so important. I bred the horse too, which was even more important [to me].

"Unfortunately, he got a couple of chips in his knee in the run at Hong Kong last year. Between us, we will give him plenty of time to operate properly again. He did well, won seven races and won a fair bit of money for us and justified me going into a stud. That has been really important."

Q: Which was better - the first or second win?

Sir Alex Ferguson: "I broke my ribs in excitement [celebrating the first win]! I was in agony, I was. There’s nothing you can do when you have broken your ribs, I broke two of them."

Q: Where does Spirit Dancer stand in your great successes in racing?

Sir Alex Ferguson: "Oh, he is the best. I bred him myself, by Frankel. Frankel has proved [himself] time and time again but to do it from my stud, from my point of view, was fantastic."

Q: Any runners at Cheltenham for the November meeting?

Sir Alex Ferguson: "We have got L’Eau Du Sud on Saturday at Cheltenham and he is up against the good horse from [JP] McManus in Jonbon. Then we have Protektorat on Sunday and he has got a chance."

Life after management

Q: How is life treating you?

Sir Alex Ferguson: "I live next door to my son now, so I sold my house in Wilmslow and moved out to the country."

Q: What brings you back to Bahrain this year?

Sir Alex Ferguson: "We were invited by the Bahrain Royal Family; his Royal Highness invited us. The weather is good at this time of year—not like Manchester where it is p***ing with rain!"

FAQ: Sir Alex Ferguson's latest verdicts

What does Sir Alex Ferguson think of Ruben Amorim? Sir Alex describes Amorim as having a "good personality" for the job but warns that recruitment must improve for him to succeed.

How long does Sir Alex think it will take Man Utd to win the league? Ferguson compares United's situation to Liverpool's dry spell, suggesting it could be another "10 or 11 years" before they win the Premier League title again.

Who is Sir Alex Ferguson's tip for the World Cup? Ferguson believes Brazil are the team to beat, stating: "Whoever beats Brazil will win the World Cup."

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*Image credit: Heute.at, Creative Commons