The Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim is poised to take over as Manchester United’s new manager, prompting curiosity about the high regard in which he is held. United believes they are on the verge of acquiring one of the world’s elite managers. Fans can catch the action as Manchester United faces Chelsea this Sunday, live on Sky Sports at 4:30 p.m.
Sky Sports senior reporter Melissa Reddy has provided insights into the delay regarding the official announcement of Amorim as Manchester United’s new manager. When Sporting CP invested €10 million (£8.3 million) to hire a head coach lacking a UEFA Pro Licence and with merely three months of experience from his time at Braga in 2020, the move was deemed “absolute insanity” by critics.
The initial backlash from fans and analysts in Portugal, which remains archived on message boards, sharply contrasts with the current excitement surrounding Amorim’s potential departure to Manchester United.
Following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal, Manchester United swiftly turned their attention to Amorim, leading to inquiries about why Sporting would set such a low release fee, allowing major clubs to swoop in for their prized manager.
In his latest press conference at Sporting, Amorim remained tight-lipped about his imminent transfer to Manchester United. If Amorim is to fulfill United’s expectations, his ability to transform the team’s tactical identity, foster a winning mentality, and enhance the enjoyment of football will be invaluable.
To achieve success, Amorim must replicate the challenges faced by his predecessors, including Ten Hag, who struggled to instill his vision and maintain authority despite his acclaimed background at Ajax. Since Ten Hag’s departure earlier this week, social media has been rife with comparisons between the hype surrounding Amorim’s coaching style and the initial excitement that followed Ten Hag’s appointment.
While it’s essential to assess a coach’s style based on their past achievements, it does not guarantee that they can replicate that success in a new environment, which they will need to demonstrate. Fans are eager to know what to expect from Amorim, the current manager of Sporting CP, should he take the reins at Manchester United.
United may point to Ten Hag’s departure as a failure to deliver results at a club with historically superior resources, like Ajax, which has consistently dominated the Eredivisie. Amorim joined Sporting as their fourth manager in one season, inheriting a squad that was 20 points adrift. In his first full season, he led Sporting to their first league title in 19 years, breaking the stronghold of Benfica and Porto while operating with fewer resources.
He has successfully rebuilt Sporting into a sustainable, winning team, demonstrating his talent for developing young players year after year. Amorim’s ability to foster individual player improvement has been crucial, especially as Sporting regularly sells their star talents. Despite losing key players like Joao Palhinha and Manuel Ugarte, he managed to maintain success.
Sam Blitz from Sky Sports provides an analysis of how Manchester United’s lineup could look under Amorim’s management. Known for his charisma, Amorim is adept at commanding attention, as seen during his recent press interactions, despite the uncertainties surrounding his future.
His fit with United’s current needs is important; he must utilize his skills to transform the team’s fortunes while managing financial limitations, reviving an underachieving squad, and restoring the club’s dominant reputation.
Under Amorim’s guidance, Ugarte should see improved performance and more consistent playing time, while the manager will need to maximize Rasmus Hojlund’s potential in a manner similar to his work with Viktor Gyokeres.
United has confidence in Amorim’s ability to raise the performances of their high-profile signings, making them seem like worthwhile investments. Having two of the squad’s key players, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot—both Portuguese—should facilitate his integration into the team’s dynamics.
Diogo Dalot, following Manchester United’s Carabao Cup win over Leicester, expressed that the team will be prepared for Amorim’s potential appointment. His language skills will help him connect with the Brazilian players, and he is fluent in English and Spanish, making communication smoother.
Those who have worked alongside Amorim describe him as an excellent communicator with clear and impactful messaging. This skill will be essential at United, where the media spotlight is intense, and every word he utters carries heavy weight.
Ten Hag excelled off-camera and was engaging, but he struggled to effectively communicate the extent of the challenges he faced during his tenure. The brutal statistics that led to Ten Hag’s sacking highlight the poor performance and lack of consistency, particularly since the League Cup victory against Newcastle, despite some positive outcomes during his reign.
Amorim will not have to confront the same challenges as his predecessor, as many issues have already been addressed, allowing him to focus on football. The new manager is unlikely to have as much influence over recruitment, as United’s leadership has clear guidelines for the transfer market, similar to elite clubs.
However, there are still uncertainties. Will Amorim continue his preference for a three-at-the-back formation? Can the current squad adapt to a possession-based style with high pressing and defensive lines? Additionally, why was he overlooked during the previous summer’s managerial search conducted by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Dave Brailsford?
The answer to this last question is straightforward. After being passed over for the Liverpool job in favor of Arne Slot and facing an embarrassing public meeting with West Ham, Amorim reaffirmed his commitment to Sporting.
Considering the circumstances surrounding his potential transfer in the summer, moving for him would not have been well-received. Reports suggesting that his release clause was higher at that time have been dismissed by sources within Sporting and other Premier League clubs linked to him.
The primary reason for the timing of this move is that the individuals who decided to terminate Ten Hag and pursue Amorim—sporting director Dan Ashworth and chief executive Omar Berrada—were not in their positions at that time.
Alongside technical director Jason Wilcox, they conducted their own evaluation of Ten Hag’s time at the club, determining the type of figure they needed in the managerial role and the long-term vision for Manchester United.
With a reputation as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and having interned under Jose Mourinho, Amorim is viewed as a coach capable of shaping the next generation, similar to the legacies established by those two.