Ruben Amorim Takes Charge as Manchester United’s New Manager
Ruben Amorim has officially been appointed as the new manager of Manchester United, replacing Erik ten Hag. This quick decision was made just days after the club decided to part ways with Ten Hag, with Amorim previously at the helm of Sporting Lisbon.
Manchester United had to invest over €10 million to activate Amorim’s release clause, a cost considered justified, given that he was also in demand from several other top European clubs.
Amorim led Sporting to their first league title in Portugal in 19 years in 2021 and repeated this success last season. The young coach has built a strong reputation. This season, his team has surged to the top of the table, holding a six-point lead after achieving nine straight victories. Interestingly, Amorim has ties to United, having interned at Old Trafford in 2018 under his idol, José Mourinho, who was then the team’s manager.
Coaching Career of Ruben Amorim
Amorim began his coaching career after retiring early due to injury. In 2018, he took charge of Casa Pia, a club in the third tier of Portuguese football. At that time, he faced a ban for not having the necessary coaching license.
In September 2019, he was appointed as the coach of Braga’s reserve team, and just three months later, he was promoted to manage the first team. He successfully led Braga to win the Portuguese League Cup before Sporting Lisbon acquired him for €10 million.
At Sporting, Amorim demonstrated his skills by guiding the club to two league titles and two Portuguese League Cups. With a record of 182 wins from 256 matches, he boasts an impressive win rate of 71.09%.
Expected Changes at Manchester United Under Amorim
Under Amorim, one of the notable changes anticipated at Manchester United is the implementation of a three-center-back formation, a strategy he has frequently used throughout his coaching career. He often employs formations such as 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3, adapting his tactics based on the opponent. His teams are recognized for their high defensive line and strong ball control.
The role of wing-backs will be vital in Amorim’s system, with these players expected to advance high up the pitch to provide width in the attack. Players like Noussair Mazraoui are likely to excel in this position, and Amorim has also been known to use wingers as wing-backs to boost offensive creativity.
This tactical approach has been successful in optimizing the performance of players like Viktor Gyökeres, who has netted 12 goals in nine league games this season under Amorim’s guidance.
Enhancing the Midfield at Manchester United
In the midfield, Manuel Ugarte, who thrived under Amorim at Sporting, is expected to take on the role of the central anchor, responsible for dominating the vast areas of the midfield.
Amorim is known for his courage in trusting young talents, having developed players like Matheus Nunes, Pedro Porro, and Nuno Mendes, who now play for top European clubs.
Ruben Amorim’s style of play and philosophy, which prioritize tactical adaptability and youth development, are set to infuse a refreshing dynamic into Manchester United.
