Ruben Amorim Faces Early Challenges as Manchester United Manager
It’s been a whirlwind start for Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, and the reality of managing one of the world’s biggest clubs is already setting in. After suffering his first defeat as United’s head coach, Amorim is urging fans and pundits alike to “manage expectations” as he navigates the early days of his tenure.
United fell 2-0 to Arsenal on Wednesday in what was Amorim’s fourth game in charge since taking over from Erik ten Hag. While the result was disappointing, it wasn’t entirely unexpected. Arsenal, after all, has been a Premier League title contender for the past two seasons, and Amorim acknowledged the difficulty of facing such a strong opponent.
“We have to manage expectations,” Amorim said during a news conference on Friday. “It was a bad result. Be calm and continue doing the job that we are doing. It’s hard because it’s a very competitive league, and it changes all the time with just one result.”
Managing the Pressure of the Premier League
Amorim’s comments reflect the intense pressure that comes with managing in the Premier League, where every game can feel like a must-win. “We have to pass this phase because before this Arsenal game you were asking about the top four,” he added, highlighting the fickle nature of public perception in football.
United’s schedule doesn’t get any easier. They host Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Saturday, followed by a Europa League trip to Viktoria Plzen on Thursday. Then comes the big one: Amorim’s first Manchester derby against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium the following Sunday.
“If you see nowadays in one week you have three games, that can change the image, perception of the team and in the table,” Amorim said. “One week can change a lot, and we need to have consistency in the job. The result you don’t control, but you need to win three matches to see a big gap in the table.”
Finding the Right Formula
Since taking the reins, Amorim has made several bold decisions, including dropping key players like Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo to the bench during the Arsenal match. This came just days after both players delivered standout performances in a 4-0 win over Everton.
Amorim explained that these decisions are part of a larger process of figuring out his best lineup. “You have an idea, but we had the problem that players returning without training and you have to manage the load,” he said. “We always have the same problem, and with Bruno Fernandes you feel that against Arsenal he was a little bit tired, but you know he is going to recover very well. Manu [Manuel Ugarte] sometimes needs a little bit more time.”
Despite the challenges, Amorim is optimistic that he’s getting closer to identifying his strongest team. “We are in the process, but we are getting closer to an idea [of the best team], yes,” he said.
What’s Next for United?
As Amorim continues to settle in, here are three key takeaways from his early days at Old Trafford:
- Patience is key: Amorim is asking for calm and consistency as he works to implement his vision for the team.
- Squad rotation is necessary: With a packed schedule, managing player fitness and form will be crucial.
- Big tests lie ahead: The upcoming Manchester derby will be a major litmus test for Amorim’s progress.
United fans will be hoping for a strong response against Nottingham Forest this weekend, but the real challenge will come in the weeks ahead. Can Amorim steady the ship and guide United back into the top four conversation? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the pressure at Old Trafford never lets up.
Originally Written by: Rob Dawson
