Ruben Amorim already has a ‘ban in place’ at Man United (Image: Getty)
has barely set foot in the door at Manchester United, yet he’s already making a significant impression. The ex-Sporting CP manager is set to oversee his debut match as United’s head coach this Sunday when the team heads to Portman Road to take on .
Over the past several days, Amorim has been busy sharpening his new squad, with rumors swirling that a switch to a back-three formation may be on the horizon. With the international break limiting his time with United’s key players, Amorim has only had a couple of sessions with the majority of the squad.
However, something became immediately clear when they returned to Carrington on Thursday. As reported by , players have been struck by Amorim’s ability to communicate with remarkable “clarity,” along with his determination to ensure they completely understand his tactical ideas, even in fine detail. They’ve also taken note of his active involvement in drills and his hands-on coaching style, which has already won admiration.
This should come as no shock. Amorim is known for his meticulous approach, but also holds the belief that if an idea can’t be explained in a single sentence, it’s not ready to be shared until it’s simplified. It’s understood he’s even banned his coaching staff from delivering overly complex instructions altogether.
During his time at Sporting, the 39-year-old regularly employed a 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3 setup, and since arriving at United, he’s been training his players to adapt to a three-at-the-back formation. Considering that under , the team primarily operated with a 4-2-3-1 system, transitioning to Amorim’s approach might require some adjustment.
There’s also concern about whether United’s current squad is suited to a three-at-the-back style, particularly due to the noticeable lack of natural wing-backs. While additions are expected in the January transfer window, the club’s leadership is eager for Amorim to maximize the potential of the existing squad before greenlighting any significant spending spree.
Amorim’s first game in charge will be against Ipswich on Sunday (Image: Getty)
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The Red Devils entered the weekend sitting 13th in the , with only four victories from their first 11 games. Meanwhile, Ipswich, led by former United assistant Kieran McKenna, have managed just a single win so far this season – a 2-1 triumph over just before the international break.
With United hovering just seven points above the relegation zone, it’s crucial for Amorim to make an immediate impact. Fans are running out of patience and have little appetite left for promises of ‘trusting the process’. However, if the optimistic mood at Carrington is any indication, Amorim may not need much time to win supporters over.