Cristiano Ronaldo’s agrees with Manchester United Ruben Amorim as they choose him to replace Erik Ten Hag.
On Thursday morning, reports surfaced that Manchester United has reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon to appoint Ruben Amorim as their new manager, shortly after Erik ten Hag’s departure following a 2-1 defeat to West Ham. United is said to have informed Sporting of their intent to trigger Amorim’s release clause, estimated to be around €10 million (£8.3 million), after the Portuguese coach gave a verbal commitment to the position.
Amorim’s debut match as United’s manager is set for November 24 against Ipswich Town. However, he will first conclude his responsibilities with Sporting, where he is expected to lead their matches against Estrela Amadora, Manchester City, and Braga before making the transition to Manchester.
As Amorim takes on this new role, he will encounter various challenges that require careful management. Former United assistant manager Mike Phelan has stressed the importance of establishing a distinct playing style, which he sees as essential to Amorim’s success. According to Phelan, “He’s taking over a unique group of players, and he’s aware that recent results haven’t been ideal. For United and their new manager, building a clear identity on the pitch is going to be essential. Who will they become under Amorim?” Phelan also highlighted that making an immediate impact will be critical, as expectations from fans and the club’s board are high.
Amorim is expected to implement significant squad changes, having reportedly discussed transfer priorities with United’s management. According to Team Talk, players like Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, Casemiro, and Antony may not be part of Amorim’s long-term vision. The United board reportedly shares the view that some players’ performances do not justify their salaries.
In addition, Marcus Rashford is reportedly eager to work with Amorim, hopeful that the new coach can help him regain his best form. Rashford, who has scored four goals in 15 appearances this season, is said to believe that Amorim’s personable coaching style could bring out his consistency.
Amorim is known for his tactical preference for a 3-4-3 formation, emphasizing high pressing and maintaining possession. His teams often adopt a 3-2-5 setup in attack, shifting to a compact 5-2-3 when defending, which is a departure from Ten Hag’s approach. United’s defenders, including Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Jonny Evans, will need to adapt to this system.
At the same time, Amorim will face challenges on the left flank, with Luke Shaw sidelined due to injury and Tyrell Malacia out since May 2023 following knee surgery. United has reportedly considered Benfica’s Alvaro Carreras as a potential solution, with Carreras available for a buy-back fee of £16 million.
United’s goal-scoring troubles have also been a concern, with just eight goals in their first nine league games. Amorim has a solid track record in this area, with his Sporting team scoring 96 goals in their title-winning season last year. He will aim to inspire forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who currently have just one league goal each, to increase their contributions.
Amorim’s appointment has sparked optimism among United’s board and supporters, who hope his leadership will guide the team back to form. The coming months will put his abilities to the test as he navigates these challenges and seeks to make a significant impact at Old Trafford.
