United View: A new era under Amorim looms

It’s only a short time before Ruben Amorim begins his career as Manchester United manager on Sunday against Ipswich Town, and after so how much hype around the Portuguese coach, what can fans expect from the club’s new head coach?

Ruben Filipe Marques Amorim would have been relatively unknown to English football fans during his playing career, but back in his home country, he won three league titles with Benfica before retiring at 32 years old.

He quickly entered the world of coaching, even spending a week-long internship under Jose Mourinho at United before beginning his career at third-division side Casa Pia in Portugal. After losing his first two games, Amorim announced he would resign if he lost the third. His side did not lose, instead going on a lengthy unbeaten run after Amorim deployed what would go on to be his favoured back-three system.

A short spell at Braga followed, winning 10 of his 13 games in charge before being acquired by Sporting CP for €10 million in March 2020, despite only having two months of experience in top-flight management.

It was a gamble that undoubtedly paid off, bringing a recognisable identity to a club in turmoil, with players and staff being attacked at the training ground by a group of supporters prior to his arrival. And in his first full season, he took Sporting back to the top of Portuguese football, winning the league title for the first time in 19 years.

He now joins Manchester United, regarded by some as one of the best up and coming coaches in the world, being the first managerial appointment under the club’s new INEOS led ownership. Despite the expectation, he seems to be confident he can turn things around after the club has experienced a troubling start to the season.

During his first interview as Manchester United manager, Ruben Amorim said, “The most important thing for me at this moment is to create the principles, the identity and the character that we had in the past.”

Amorim has already hinted that he will be utilising his trusty back-three formation for the opening game against Ipswich, which will seemingly take time to perfect, but their new head-coach is said to be clear with his communication. It also helps that many of United’s defence has experience playing in a back-three.

“I want to be a part of something, I don’t want to be just in charge, I want everybody together, it will be more fun and so much easier to reach the goals.” This aligns with the new sporting hierarchy of Omar Berrarda, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox, wanting to move away from giving the manager complete control and probably why Amorim has been given the title of ‘head coach’ rather than manager.

United fans are quick to hype up any incoming arrival be it player of manager, but this appointment is a test of the club’s aim to move to a modern style of running a football club. And for the first time since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, the manger’s performance will be reflective of those on the board. Essentially, they need to make it as difficult as possible for Amorim to fail, or their job security could too come under pressure.

All this positive talk has brought a sense of optimism around Old Trafford, but the real test will begin at Portman Road on Sunday, and how quickly the players can adapt to his tactics and expectations.

Ruud van Nistelrooy brought stability during his short spell, with United’s season is in a salvageable position and should his career be anything to go off, Amorim has always made an immediate impact, a trait that fans will be hopeful he can replicate at his United.