Manchester United’s new manager Ruben Amorim has revealed that he is fully aware of the tough job he faces at Old Trafford. Amorim knows he has to get to work immediately.
The 39-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract as the new United boss. Although he will arrive at Old Trafford this week, Amorim will not be able to start work officially until his work visa is approved, which is expected to take several days.
Amorim ended his tenure at Portuguese club Sporting with a 4-2 win over his former club Braga on Sunday 10 November 2024.
He arrived in Manchester on Monday 11 November 2024 yesterday and has already met with United’s top brass.
Amorim admits that it will be difficult to replicate what he achieved at Sporting elsewhere, but he is aware that there will be different exposure and pressure at United.
Amorim will have 13 days during the international break to prepare for his United managerial debut against Ipswich in the Premier League on 24 November.
“I feel ready for the new challenge,” Amorim told reporters after the match.
“I’m not naive, I knew it would be very different, very difficult. I feel calm now. I can focus on my new job and I can’t wait to start tomorrow.”
During the international break, many first-team players will be away on international duty while others have had time off, meaning Amorim will likely have more contact with injured players when he arrives at the Carrington training complex.
Amorim has been used to a 3-4-3 formation during his time in Portugal and he already has an idea of the formation he will use at United.
“I know how I will start the game, because you have to start with a structure that you understand and then adapt to the players that you have,” Amorim explained.
“Looking at injuries, the type of players, the ability to defend and attack… I will find that out in the next few weeks.”
On one occasion, Amorim once said that he would not bring Sporting players to Man United in the near future.
“I will not do it in January, that’s what I said. I don’t know about the summer,” Amorim said.
“Sporting players are very good players. I don’t know. We’ll see.”
Meanwhile, Goncalves has become a key player in Amorim’s system at Sporting and played an integral role in the two seasons when the team won the Portuguese League.
When asked specifically about a potential move for Goncalves after he became Man United manager, Amorim was clear.
“He can play in any team in the world and with any player, because he is a great player,” Amorim said.
“I can take him anywhere. He is very funny, which can improve the personal relationship.
“But he is also very intelligent, but he also has to focus on Sporting because we have to be champions this year. But he can play in any team in the world.”
