Inside Ruben Amorim’s First Month at Manchester United: A Rollercoaster of Challenges and Change
It was a rare sunny November day in Manchester when Ruben Amorim first stepped foot at Carrington, Manchester United’s iconic training ground. Arriving in a sleek black Mercedes van straight from Manchester Airport’s private terminal, the 39-year-old Portuguese coach was greeted by chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, and technical director Jason Wilcox. With a bright smile, Amorim quipped, “You see the weather?” as if the sunshine was a good omen. But just like the weather in Manchester, the brightness didn’t last long.
Fast forward a month, and Amorim’s honeymoon period at Old Trafford has been anything but smooth. The challenges have come thick and fast, with the departure of Dan Ashworth after just five months in his role as sporting director, a public row over the Premier League’s LGBTQ+ initiative, and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s controversial decision to raise ticket prices. Add to that a packed December schedule of nine games across the Premier League, Carabao Cup, and Europa League, and it’s clear that Amorim has been thrown into the deep end.
“The storm will come,” Amorim warned after his third game in charge, a 4-0 victory over Everton. Little did he know, the storm would arrive sooner than expected.
What Ruben Amorim Has Brought to Manchester United
Amorim’s appointment as Erik ten Hag’s successor was spearheaded by Omar Berrada, who didn’t sugarcoat the enormity of the task during negotiations. Sources have revealed that Amorim already believes the job is more complicated than he initially thought. His first five games in charge have produced a mixed bag of results: two wins, two losses, and a draw.
To make up for the lack of time on the training pitch, Amorim has introduced extended sessions on the full-size pitch in the academy hall. Unlike his predecessor, Erik ten Hag, who used the space primarily for warm-ups, Amorim conducts tactical walk-throughs focused on player positioning during different phases of the game. Everyone participates, even if they’re just observing. Individual meetings with players are rare, as Amorim prefers to address the team as a whole, leaving one-on-one discussions to his assistants.
One of Amorim’s defining traits is his emphasis on team unity. This was evident when he supported the squad’s decision to opt out of wearing specially made LGBTQ+ jackets ahead of the Everton game after Noussair Mazraoui, a devout Muslim, chose not to participate on religious grounds. Amorim’s mantra is clear: the squad either acts together or not at all.
Amorim’s bond with his players is another reason he was chosen for the job. At 39, he’s still young enough to remember what he valued as a player during his time at Benfica and Braga. This perspective has shaped his coaching style. For instance, he doesn’t hold traditional post-match team talks, instead allowing players to debrief among themselves immediately after the game. He addresses the team the following day, once emotions have settled, to provide a clear assessment. Similarly, his half-time talks are brief, as he spends most of the break preparing substitutes.
Building team spirit is a priority for Amorim. Players returning from injury are welcomed back with playful head slaps from their teammates, and Amorim has made an effort to get to know their families. Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish, he’s able to communicate effectively with the diverse squad. However, he’s not afraid to enforce discipline. For example, he was visibly furious during the Everton game when a substitute wasn’t ready to come on immediately. He’s also introduced strict rules, such as banning food in the dressing room on matchdays.
What Lies Ahead for Amorim
As Amorim’s family prepares to move to Manchester in January, he’s currently staying in a city-center hotel while searching for a house. With three matches scheduled between December 22 and December 30, he plans to spend Christmas working, with a small celebration alongside his staff after training. His family will remain in Portugal for the holidays and join him in the new year.
Managing the hectic festive fixture list is a top priority. Sources at the club have revealed that Amorim is relying heavily on performance data to monitor player fitness. Any player nearing the “red zone” is rested to avoid injuries, a lesson learned from Erik ten Hag’s tenure, which was plagued by long-term absences of key players like Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, and Tyrell Malacia.
Amorim is also cautious about overloading the squad with additional physical demands midseason. He’s aware of the risks, having seen how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s efforts to improve fitness in 2018 initially paid off but ultimately led to burnout. United’s form collapsed in the final months of that season, with data showing they were significantly outperformed by Manchester City in terms of fitness.
Despite the challenges, Amorim remains optimistic. He’s still adjusting to the scale of Manchester United and the media attention that comes with it. Yet, he approaches his obligations with the same smile he wore on his first day. After being asked to redo a scene for a media shoot, he joked that his acting “should win the Oscar.”
But make no mistake, Amorim’s focus is on winning trophies, not awards. His first month at Old Trafford has been a baptism of fire, but he’s determined to rise to the challenge.
Originally Written by: Rob Dawson
