Manchester United are moving in the “right direction,” according to sporting director Jason Wilcox, as the club looks to build on its recent resurgence under manager Ruben Amorim.

For the first time during Amorim’s year-long tenure, United have recorded three consecutive Premier League victories, climbing to sixth place in the table and reigniting hopes of a return to the top.

Wilcox’s arrival last year was one of several major changes that followed British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s acquisition of a minority stake in the club. Ratcliffe’s first full season overseeing football operations ended in disappointment, with United finishing 15th in the Premier League and missing out on European competition for only the second time in three decades.

Despite those setbacks, Wilcox believes meaningful progress is being made — even if challenges remain on the road back to competing for Premier League and Champions League titles.

“We are going in the right direction,” Wilcox told the club’s official media.
“We have a clear plan. I’m sure there will be bumps in the road, but we just have to stay calm regardless of the noise outside.”

After two seasons without Champions League football, securing a top-four finish is seen as vital — both to restore the club’s prestige and to ensure compliance with financial sustainability regulations.

Ratcliffe has faced criticism for implementing sweeping cost-cutting measures, including two rounds of redundancies, in an effort to balance the books. Even so, United invested heavily in the summer, spending around £200 million to assemble a new forward line of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Šeško.

That investment is already showing promise. Cunha scored his first goal in the recent 4–2 win over Brighton, while Mbeumo has found the net three times in his last two appearances.

“To consistently challenge for the top four, to win Champions Leagues and Premier Leagues, we have to keep investing in the squad,” Wilcox added.
“It’s not just about elite talent — we need players with the right character, who can handle pressure and push the team forward.”

However, Amorim faces a potential headache heading into the busy festive period. Mbeumo is expected to be away with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Amad Diallo could also miss up to six Premier League matches, including the Manchester derby, as he represents Ivory Coast.

“We’ll struggle a bit, but we were prepared for that,” Amorim admitted.
“Other players will have the chance to step up. The style and momentum won’t change — we’ll use Amad and Bryan as much as possible before January.”