Ruben Amorim used his first press conference as AC Milan coach to apologise to Manchester United supporters and concede that his time at Old Trafford contained a string of errors he did not have the space to explain in full. He said he had stayed silent for six months after his sacking and only spoke after joining Milan.

On the subject of his United tenure Amorim told assembled media: “It is hard to explain the mistakes,” and added: “It is hard to tell you about every mistake, but I learned a lot.

He continued: “I made some mistakes. I didn’t have the opportunity to say something to the Manchester United fans at that moment, and I am sorry for that. I am really proud to have been their coach for a year, but now it is a different history.

Amorim acknowledged there were many things he could have handled better during his 14 months in England. “There are a lot of things that I could have done better at the last experience. But sometimes it is like that. You have to learn to find the right spots to reach a different level.” He said the period of reflection followed a collapse of a campaign that ended only after he publicly lambasted his own bosses.

One recurrent criticism in England concerned his persistence with the 3-4-2-1 shape that had delivered success at Sporting CP but that he continued to employ at United. The coach admitted he delayed a change of system until a victory at Newcastle the day after last Christmas, and explained he had held out because he did not want players to feel he was yielding to outside pressure. “When you [journalists] talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will understand that I am changing because of you,” he said.

The press conference also highlighted wider communication issues that dogged his spell at United. The man nicknamed “the Poet” by Cristiano Ronaldo was repeatedly drawn into controversy for public criticism of individuals and the squad, a style that the article says alienated certain players, most notably Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo. Amorim accepted his biggest misstep came before his first match when he left Sporting with an unbeaten start to 2024–25 after being presented with an immediate ultimatum to join United.

Ruben Amorim has returned to management with AC Milan six months after his abrupt exit from Manchester United in January 2026. The Portuguese arrived as the Rossoneri begin a full reset following a disappointing end to 2025–26 that cost the previous coach his job.

Amorim’s time at Manchester United ended after an attempt to implement a major tactical change failed to deliver the required consistency. The club improved at stages during the second half of 2025–26 but results remained uneven and a reported disagreement with sporting director Jason Wilcox over tactics was said to have left the relationship beyond repair.

Milan dismissed Massimiliano Allegri after being pipped to Champions League qualification by Como on the final day of Serie A, a collapse that followed a title challenge that lasted until February. The club also sacked the chief executive, sporting director and technical director for “unequivocal failure.” Massimo Calvelli was appointed the new CEO in late June amid reported plans to restructure from within and uncertainty over replacements in other director roles.

On arrival in the city ahead of formally starting work, Amorim framed the Milan job in personal terms. “I am truly very happy to be here. It’s an honor to be the Milan coach. If you watch an old interview of mine, I said that this is a special club for me,” he told reporters outside Milan Linate Airport.

“It’s a big challenge,” he continued. “After the last time [at Manchester United], I told myself to choose less demanding challenges, yet here I am, it’s an even bigger challenge.

“But I am proud to be here; now I want to work with my staff and my players … I am truly happy to be here. Am I here to win? You cannot come to Milan without this mentality. We have a lot to do, but if you are the Milan coach, you must play to win.”

Amorim’s rapid return is also of financial consequence to Manchester United, limiting the overall compensation due to him and his staff. For Milan the appointment comes amid high expectations from a club that has won Serie A only twice since 2004, while Juventus have taken nine titles and Inter eight in the same period.

The U.S. men’s national team is not the richest side at the 2026 World Cup, but several members of the squad nonetheless commanded substantial income in 2025–26. Sportico’s analysis of club pay, international bonuses and commercial revenue shows clear differences among the top earners.

Christian Pulisic stands out. While he earns just over $6 million per year with his Italian club, AC Milan, his total on-field earnings rise to $7.5 million, according to reported estimates. It is the commercial avenues off the field where he makes most of his money, bringing in $20 million over the last year.

Weston McKennie emerged as one of the highest earners in the squad during 2025–26. Sportico estimates he earned $7 million on the field and $8 million off it, for a total of $15 million before the World Cup.

Tim Weah’s reported on-field pay was $6 million for his season with Marseille, supplemented by off-field partnerships including New Balance. The 26-year-old has used that income to join an ownership group for USL side Brooklyn FC.

Midfielder Tyler Adams, a Premier League regular with Bournemouth in 2025–26, earned an estimated $5.5 million on the pitch and $1.5 million off it. He also holds an ownership stake in USL side Westchester SC. A 26-year-old Crystal Palace center back made $5 million with his club and added about $2.5 million through commercial deals; he has invested in Birmingham Legion FC.

Players stand to add to their earnings with a deep run at the World Cup, but U.S. men will split half of their World Cup bonus with players in the U.S. women’s national team pool. Next year, the USMNT players will also earn half of what the USWNT earns during their 2027 World Cup campaign. That arrangement, which the draft links to a 2022 collective bargaining agreement between the USMNT, USWNT and U.S. Soccer, leaves the World Cup less of a standalone cash incentive than it is for many other nations.