Ruben Amorim Opens Up About Anxiety Despite First Manchester United Win
It’s been a whirlwind start for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, and the new boss isn’t holding back about the challenges he’s facing. After securing his first win as United manager with a 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, Amorim admitted that the early days of his tenure have been anything but smooth sailing. In fact, he described the experience as “anxious” and “nervous” as he works to implement his tactical vision with a squad still adjusting to his methods.
“I get anxious because I don’t know what will happen—you don’t control nothing at the moment,” Amorim told TNT Sports after the match. “We are trying to see different things. I don’t know the players, and we have not worked a lot together. We go to the game excited, but at the same time, you are nervous because you don’t know how the game will go.”
First Win, But Not Without Drama
The match against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt was far from a walk in the park. United found themselves trailing 2-1 in the first half, a moment that surely tested Amorim’s nerves. However, the team rallied to secure the win, giving the 39-year-old Portuguese coach his first taste of victory at Old Trafford. While the result was a step in the right direction, Amorim was quick to acknowledge that there’s still a long way to go.
“I think we have improved from Ipswich, and we improved in the quality with the ball,” Amorim said, referencing the 1-1 draw with Ipswich in his debut match. “But we will have to change players [against Everton]. We tried to press all the time, and the last 10 minutes, it was tough.”
Squad Rotation and Fitness Concerns
Amorim made six changes to the lineup that faced Ipswich, bringing in key players like Lisandro Martínez, Tyrell Malacia, Antony, Manuel Ugarte, Mason Mount, and Rasmus Højlund. While the changes paid off with a win, the manager admitted that fitness remains a significant issue for the squad.
“I felt Rasmus Højlund was dead. I felt some players were tired,” Amorim said candidly. “Antony came back from injury; he had to go out of the game, and we did four substitutions because of the fitness of the players. We are in that moment, and we need the squad together.”
With a Premier League clash against Everton looming on Sunday, Amorim hinted at more changes to the starting XI. The manager is clearly still experimenting with his lineup as he works to find the right balance and get his players up to speed with his tactical demands.
What’s Next for Amorim and United?
Amorim’s honesty about the challenges he’s facing is refreshing, but it also underscores the magnitude of the task ahead. Manchester United is a club with sky-high expectations, and fans will be eager to see how quickly the team can adapt to their new manager’s philosophy. The win over Bodo/Glimt was a positive step, but the road ahead is filled with hurdles.
Here are three key takeaways from Amorim’s early days at United:
- Patience is key: Amorim is still getting to know his players and figuring out how to implement his tactics effectively. Fans will need to give him time to make his mark.
- Squad depth will be tested: With fitness concerns already cropping up, Amorim will need to rely on the entire squad to navigate a packed schedule.
- Signs of progress: Despite the challenges, Amorim has already seen improvements in the team’s play, particularly in their quality on the ball.
As the Red Devils prepare to face Everton, all eyes will be on Amorim to see how he manages his squad and whether he can build on the momentum from Thursday’s win. One thing is clear: the journey under Ruben Amorim is just beginning, and it promises to be anything but boring.
Originally Written by: Rob Dawson
