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Ruben Amorim has just past another major milestone as the new Manchester United manager. The Portuguese manager conducted his first press conference with the club, bringing more excitement around his appointment.
Nearly two weeks into his tenure, Amorim is getting prepared for his first game in charge, travelling to take on Ipswich this weekend.
Despite the warmth and humility that Amorim gave off, there was strength and confidence in his ability to deliver at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim and his preferred playstyle
When asked about bringing his preferred 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3 formation to United, Amorim commented: “As a coach, you have to choose one way or another: I choose always 100 per cent our way.”
He continued: “I choose to risk, no doubts. I believe so much in our way of playing; they will believe too. There is no second way.
“We will adapt some players because this team was built for a different system. The principles are the same.
“On Sunday, you will see the list of players, and maybe think not a lot of change, but you will see it in the positioning or the way they feel the ball.”
The simplicity and direction of his plan were also brought to his first training sessions as reported by The Athletic. The new manager does not want to overload the squad who are already trying to play under a different playstyle.
The effect of changing tactics mid-season
Speaking about the change in tactics mid-season, Amorim commented: “I know it is a way of playing we are changing in the middle of the season. We have to improve the physical aspect of the team. I don’t know how long it will take. I know when in Manchester United you have to win games.
He continued: “I am a little bit of a dreamer: I believe in myself, I also believe in the club, I believe in my mindset, that can help. I truly believe in the players also. The only thing I ask is hard work and that you believe in a new idea. I felt that. Until they prove me wrong, I believe in the players.”
When looking at the specifics of what’s happening on the pitch, Amorim commented: “I think we lose the ball too often, we have to be better at running back, I think that is clear to everyone. I think we have to be better on the details. In the small things, I think I can help a lot.”
Manchester United’s former managers
It was also inevitable that Jose Mourinho would be brought up. The comparisons between the two have been continuous since his appointment, even with Mourinho himself comparing the Portuguese pair. However, Amorim’s humility came through, even with this comparison, being named The Right One instead of The Special One.
When addressing the comparisons, Amorim commented: “First thing, not just on me but all the Portuguese coaches, he showed we can be the best in the world, from a small country.”
He continued: “But I am different from Mourinho. He was European champion and I am not. Football these days is different, and I think I am the right person for this moment.”
Amorim also noted his predecessors, highlighting how different types of managers have come and gone from the club. However he felt like the right manager right now. He commented: “You have here different types of coaches, the guys that won everything like (Louis) van Gaal and Mourinho, the new ones that knew the club inside out like (Ole Gunnar) Solskjaer, then one of the best outside the top-five leagues in (Erik) Ten Hag. You have different coaches and the same results. We will try to do INEOS way, my way.”
Ruben Amorim gives his take on club recruitment
It’s been confirmed that United’s transfer budget will be more restricted going forward, so naturally, recruitment was discussed.
Amorim commented: “I think it has to be all together because if you are a coach coming here and already chose the players, you could be wrong because the club will be here for a long time and you as a coach, you don’t know that,”
He continued: “We have to improve the process of recruitment, the data. I think it is all together, but the final word should be the manager, not because it is your right but because it is your responsibility. I have to understand the league and then when everything is aligned, everyone is on the same page, we can buy and sell players.”
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