Ruben Amorim has barely settled in at Manchester United, but he’s already bagged himself a flattering nickname from the squad – although it might not prove too popular with some Red Devils fans.
Just 10 days into his tenure, Amorim axed Ruud van Nistelrooy from the coaching team. The 39-year-old gaffer, who brought his own backroom staff from Sporting Lisbon, is wasting no time instilling his tactics before his first game in charge against Ipswich this Sunday.
Work permit delays meant Amorim only hit the training ground on Monday, and with many first-teamers away on international duty, he had to draft in academy players to fill the ranks. But it looks like his preferred 3-4-3 setup is already winning hearts.
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“Even before Monday’s first session, the players have been very impressed,” an insider spilled to The Sun. “Then, after the sessions, they are blown away by his energy, approach and confidence.
“There’s definite [Jose] Mourinho vibes in the way he speaks and his self-belief but the style is his own. The players think he’s very approachable and that he will understand them. Some of them are calling him Mourinho 2.0,” reports the Mirror.
(Image: PA)
Mourinho has a mixed reputation among United supporters after winning the League Cup and Europa League in his first year as manager at Old Trafford, with a sixth place finish in the Premier League, before achieving second place in the next campaign, but losing the FA Cup Final to his old club Chelsea.
However, after a poor start to the following season with just seven wins in 17 league games, amid criticism of his playing style and public fall outs with some of his players, he was sacked in December 2018.
New United boss Amorim is fresh from securing back-to-back league titles with Sporting and has been creating a buzz as one of Europe’s most promising coaching talents. However, when asked about comparisons with Mourinho, Amorim brushed off the tag.
He pointed to his right-hand man and said: “My number two is Carlos Fernandes, he’s been my right-hand man right from day one,” he declared back in February 2022. He’ll be a much better coach than me. I often say if I become Bobby Robson, then he’ll be my Jose Mourinho! But there’s plenty of time, we’ve signed a 15-year deal!”
(Image: PA)
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Amorim takes over a United squad languishing at 13th in the Premier League after a rough patch under Erik ten Hag. Yet, he brings an air of optimism to Old Trafford, insisting on a fearless approach.
“We have to start from day one without fear, without thinking that they are not used to playing like this,” asserted Amorim. “They will start on the first day with our idea, no matter what. That’s the goal.
“A long time ago, we didn’t win the Premier League. But if you ask, Manchester United is the biggest club in England. This is part of history, it’s not now. So we have to address that, to show that and to try to win again.”
Like the many managers before him, he has pledged to give it his all and wants to take United back to the top again.
“I will do everything for the team. I will defend my players, all the time, against everybody. That’s a key point for me and I will try to do everything to put this club in the place that it belongs. And I believe a lot that we are going to succeed.
“I don’t want to say that we need time because we are a young team. They are prepared. They are prepared to cope with the demands of playing for Manchester United. They should be because they are here.”