Manchester United has reportedly finalized a deal with Sporting Lisbon to bring in Ruben Amorim as their new manager, following Erik ten Hag’s exit. Ten Hag, the Dutch coach, departed from his role after United suffered a 2-1 defeat to West Ham. United is believed to have officially informed Sporting Lisbon of their intent to activate Amorim’s release clause, which is thought to be around €10 million (£8.3 million). Amorim has also verbally committed to joining the club, paving the way for his Premier League debut.
Amorim’s first match as United’s manager is scheduled for November 24 against Ipswich Town. However, before assuming his new position, he will complete his remaining responsibilities with Sporting Lisbon, overseeing matches against Estrela Amadora, Manchester City, and Braga.
Mike Phelan, a former Manchester United assistant manager, has commented on the challenges Amorim will face. Phelan stressed the importance of establishing a clear style of play for the team, emphasizing that Amorim is joining a unique squad that has faced mixed results recently. According to Phelan, building a distinct identity on the field will be crucial for Amorim and the team, as the new manager aims to meet the high expectations of both fans and club leaders.
As Amorim takes the helm, he is expected to implement significant changes to the squad and has already discussed potential transfer targets with United’s management. Reports suggest that some current players, including Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, Casemiro, and Antony, may not fit into Amorim’s long-term vision. United’s board also reportedly has concerns about the high wages of certain players relative to their contributions.
One player looking forward to Amorim’s arrival is Marcus Rashford, who hopes the new manager’s personable approach will help him regain consistent form. Rashford, who has struggled with only four goals in 15 appearances this season, is optimistic that Amorim’s tactical style will play to his strengths and enhance his performance.
Amorim is known for favoring a 3-4-3 formation with an emphasis on high pressing and ball possession. His teams typically shift to a 3-2-5 structure when attacking and transition to a compact 5-2-3 shape while defending.
This tactical approach will be a departure from the style previously used by Ten Hag, which means United’s defensive players—including Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, and Jonny Evans—will need to adapt to these new demands.
In addition, Amorim will need to address issues on the left side of United’s defense, as Luke Shaw is out with an injury and Tyrell Malacia remains sidelined after knee surgery in May 2023. United is reportedly eyeing Benfica’s Alvaro Carreras, who could potentially join for a buy-back fee of £16 million.
United’s goal-scoring woes have also been a challenge, with just eight goals scored in their first nine league games. However, Amorim’s track record in offensive strategy—demonstrated by Sporting Lisbon’s 96-goal season during their title-winning campaign—provides hope for an improved attack under his guidance. He aims to reignite the scoring potential of forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, both of whom have netted only once in the league thus far.
Amorim’s arrival has sparked optimism among Manchester United’s leadership and supporters, who hope his tactical acumen and fresh perspective will steer the club back to success. As he takes on the role, the coming months will be critical for Amorim to make his mark at Old Trafford.
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