Ruben Amorim makes shock admission after claiming first win since taking on as Man United boss from Erik ten Hag and hails ‘particular’ Old Trafford followers for ‘making me really feel at dwelling’
Ruben Amorim made a surprise admission after securing his first ever win at Old Trafford, as he finally got the new era at Old Trafford up and running in earnest.
United secured a crucial 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League for just their second victory in the campaign, but perhaps more importantly, it was the first of the Amorim era at Old Trafford.
Rasmus Hojlund struck twice after the Norwegian visitors led 2-1 following Alejandro Garnacho‘s first-minute opener on Thursday evening to hand Amorim his victory.
It made for a tense ending, but ultimately the hosts saw out the win to take three points and move up to 12th in the Europa League League Phase standings.
Yet when speaking to TNT after the game in a refreshing and honest interview, the 39-year-old former Sporting boss made a surprise admission.
‘I get anxious (before the game) because I don’t know what will happen. We don’t control nothing at the moment at the moment,’ the new Manchester United head coach told TNT Sports.
Ruben Amorim picked up his first win as Manchester United’s new head coach but made a surprise admission at full time
The 39-year-old spoke candidly in a refreshingly honest interview with TNT Sports at full time
Two goals from Rasmus Hojlund secured victory for Amorim under the lights at Old Trafford
‘Of course we have an idea for each game, but I don’t know the players and we haven’t worked a lot together.
‘We go the game excited because we want to see different things but at the same time you are anxious and nervous because we don’t know how the game will go.’
Amorim’s first match in charge came on Sunday when his new team travelled to Portman Road to take on Ipswich Town.
The Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw, bringing Amorim’s first night at Old Trafford into even greater focus on Thursday night.
However the Portuguese coach was quick to reveal that he felt right at home, and noted the ‘special’ reception he was given at Old Trafford.
There was also a banner written in his native Portuguese in the crowd, reading: ‘Bemvindo a casa Ruben’ (Welcome home, Ruben).
‘First thing is that half of the stadium doesn’t know me. Does it really know me? I came from Portugal. I’ve done nothing for this club yet.
‘The way they make me feel at home is so special. It’s not after (achieving) something – it’s before something. It’s something special and I will keep this to the end of my career.’
Amorim hailed the ‘special’ reception he was given on his first Old Trafford appearance as boss
He was also full of praise for Bruno Fernandes, who he described as ‘the most experienced player’
Amorim’s preference for a 3-4-3 has been a subject of discussion since links with United first emerged
Much had been made of Amorim’s well-known preference for a 3-4-3 formation – particularly given United’s squad had been specifically built for either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.
This is particularly pertinent given their captain and probably best player, Bruno Fernandes, plays as a central attacking midfielder by trade, and would therefore need to move slightly out of his comfort zone.
Amorim elected to deploy his star in a central midfield role, somewhat deeper than his regular position for United over the years, but one that allowed him to have a creative impact on the game all the same.
‘You can feel that Bruno is the most experienced player, the tempo. Sometimes we start the player and Bruno is the right man to start the right tempo of the play,’ Amorim said of his skipper.
‘Then they played a back four, they closed inside, and we tried to switch play all the time and Bruno is the best one doing that. That’s why I think is a midfielder.’
