The Ruben Amorim era begins at Manchester United

The era of Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim begins at Manchester United. The 39-year-old begins his adventure on one of the hottest benches in Europe in Ipswich, a match that is not easy and full of dangers. Especially for a long-dormant football ‘giant’ who never fully recovered after Alex Ferguson’s departure.

Succeeding the legendary Scottish manager, who retired in 2013 with 28 titles under his belt, would not have been easy for anyone. But the passing of the years and the subsequent disappointments demonstrate that the mission is almost impossible. David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag they have all failed in the Premier League or Champions League, the two competitions in which the historic club competes.

Amorim, however, is confident of bringing the enthusiasm of the fans back to Old Trafford, which he defines as the “Theatre of dreams”. “Call me naive, but I really believe I’m the right man at the right time,” the Portuguese coach said in his first press conference. “I’m a bit of a dreamer and I believe in myself,” he insisted, at ease in front of the cameras, and convinced that he can do very well. The former leader of Sporting Lisbon takes the reins of a team that, this year more than ever, he has never found continuity, with a wavering style and few certainties. Thirteenth position in the league describes it well with just four wins in 11 games. The Red Devils, however, are only 4 points away from third place. In short, there is still time to change the face of the season.

In his first experience abroad, Amorim faces a titanic challenge without having a significant amount of experience. At Sporting (2020-2024) he won the Portuguese championship twice with an attacking and energetic football and this is what convinced the United management to turn to him. Amorim rejects comparisons with the most famous Portuguese coach: “I’m different from Mourinho, he was European champion, I wasn’t”, he said of the ‘Special One’, who won the Champions League with Porto in 2004.

Arriving in England on November 11, Amorim, who turns 40 in January, hasn’t had much time to get to know his new group of players. “I believe in them a lot. I know you don’t really believe it, but I do. I believe we can improve and I want to try new things. You think it’s not possible, I think it’s possible.”

However, he made no secret of the enormity of the work ahead of himboth in terms of “understanding of the game”, “physical appearance” or “defensive strategies” to apply. On the pitch, the most visible change could be the defensive organisation, with a three-man line instead of the four-man line so dear to Ten Hag. The next few weeks, full of events, will already be able to establish whether something has changed, at least in the approach to the match and in the mentality to be put on the pitch.