Ruben Amorim needs a radical Sir Alex Ferguson-style rebuild at Manchester United but has been given a far weaker hand than recent managers at Old Trafford, writes JOE BERNSTEIN

Curiously, no team bar Manchester City has won more trophies in the last nine years than Manchester United, even though it’s widely accepted that standards at Old Trafford have declined alarmingly.

Between them, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Erik ten Hag won four domestic cups and a Europa League. For Tottenham, Newcastle or Everton, it would represent a golden period, but not for United, languishing in the most prestigious competitions since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.

Today’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Fulham is a head-scratcher for 40-year-old Ruben Amorim, who by his own admission looks older every time he glances at the mirror.

Lose and there will be another pile-on but paradoxically victory won’t cause much celebration. Winning the Europa League with its entry into the Champions League is far more important, making Thursday’s tie against Real Sociedad the priority.

Historically, United’s success has always been dependent on creating stars from the academy but also paying the biggest transfer fees for the best players.

Sir Alex Ferguson broke the British transfer record several times on the likes of Roy Keane, Andy Cole and Rio Ferdinand. Mourinho’s £89milion spend on Paul Pogba was a world record and Solskjaer and Ten Hag were also able to pay big bucks.

Yet Amorim doesn’t have that luxury as he contemplates life in 14th position in the Premier League, 34 points behind leaders Liverpool.

PSR restrictions and Ratcliffe’s desire to cut costs means expensive new blood isn’t an option without a fairy Godmother first wanting to buy existing United players.

The best homegrown players Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho may be sacrificed for financial governance rather than have a long career at Old Trafford like their predecessors.

Amorim has a far weaker hand to rebuild United than Ferguson did from a similar low starting point.

His immediate priority this summer is to try and exact some sort of cull to free up budget to bring in ‘his’ players.

Victor Lindelof, Jonny Evans, Tom Heaton and Christian Eriksen are out of contract and he’ll want Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia to finish loan spells strongly to create a market.

Nearly everyone else at Old Trafford is available at the right price, headed by Rasmus Hojlund and Casemiro.

The anticipated upheaval requires diplomatic tact from Amorim at a club already reeling over staff redundancies and rising ticket prices. The charming Portuguese declares honesty is the best policy as he seeks radical change.

‘Everybody understands that in football sometimes you stay, sometimes you have to move on,’ he explains.

‘I like to be clear. I was a player once and use that experience. When you are honest with someone, they can take it. It is hard in the beginning but they will understand.

‘I’m quite honest with my players and sometimes they know they have to move on at the end of the season.

‘It’s not about acting ruthless just to show strength but when I feel something is going to harm the club, I am quite ruthless. I’m trying to make a balance.

‘I see a clear path and I see it from the board also. They are doing difficult changes which aren’t popular, but they are doing it because they have a vision.

‘I knew the situation here (taking the job). It was a risk but we are surviving and doing everything. Today is really hard, I know, but this is going to help us in the future. I hope. We will see.’

By taking England under-19s defender Ayden Heaven and striker Chido Obi-Martin from the Arsenal academy, United are reaffirming their commitment to youth.

Ideally, Amorim would also like to sprinkle some stardust to get United closer to their competitors.

Nigerian striker Victor Osimehn, currently on loan to Galatasaray from Napoli, has been talked about. So too has PSG defender Nuno Mendes as Amorim stays wedded to playing with wing-backs.

He is United’s youngest manager for more than half-a-century and concedes there is an element of learning on the job.

‘We aren’t winning enough games, so I don’t feel like I am a better coach,’ he acknowledges.

‘But I have lived here for three months and learned certain things. I am a more complete manager because sometimes you need to be in a poor situation to grow.

‘I have felt during these three months: “I am not going die if I lose three games in a row”. I’ve learned to cope and maintain the energy.’

Van Gaal and Ten Hag can tell Amorim that even winning the FA Cup isn’t enough to build a legacy at Old Trafford.

But for morale, maybe beating Fulham and then Real Sociedad is critical.

‘We need some results,’ reflects the always-candid Amorim. ‘If you change a lot and don’t have results, people don’t feel confident and happy.’