Ruben Amorim - Manchester United Head Coach

He seems to have nailed it against stronger opposition with results (and performances) against City, Liverpool and Arsenal.

The next step for him will be to ensure we get results against the less glamorous with the same commitment, desire and tenacity…and more attacking threat from wingbacks.
 
Our ability to breakdown teams who are sat back has been woeful for so many years, so that’s going to be a big test to sort out, especially with our less than stellar attack.
 
Its incredible to see these players working their bollocks off, and the ones who dont get their rewards. Rashford should be ashamed of himself that he's out the door. This manager will give everyone the same chance if you work for him.
 
flameinthesun said:
Still think its way too early. The same plaudits were being given to Ten Hag and Ole early on. The United teams were always capable of raising their levels for games vs rivals every now and then. Its this next run of games where we need to see a true difference. At the moment, everything said about Amorim was said about Ten Hag after half a season in.
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I agree we were all very happy in Ten Hag’s first season and until the league cup final it was really going well. However it was very evident he had given up on his tactics/ethos from about the third game onwards. We had gone back to our counter attacking football and bar a few games it was pretty much like how we were under Ole, with Rashford in red hot form.

However the next step was always to build on it and the fans expected him to now turn our squad into a team who could start to dominate possession and games as a consequence. For some absolutely insane reason, he went in the complete opposite direction. He tried to turn us into a pure transition based team which would try to turn over possession high into the opposition half and quickly get at them.

Not only was it a half-baked idea since it was only the forwards pressing and we didn’t squeeze the pitch as a whole (like what Liverpool did under Klopp), he thought the best way to do it was completely surrendering midfield and get Bruno and Mount working together high up the pitch. It was suicidal tactics and he was too stubborn to learn and rectify it.

Amorim has come in with a very clear plan and idea on how he wants us to play and he is sticking by it. He has shown it can work in another league and we have seen in games against the likes of City snd Liverpool away from home where it came together. Obviously there will be hiccups along the way but he is not trying something insane which he has never done before.
 
Positive couple of weeks.

Obviously the last few years, we've seen a lot of false dawns and this could be another one and we could go on a run of 4/4 without a win against easier opposition than Liverpool and Arsenal.

However, I'm quietly optimistic. Not necessarily optimistic that we're going to be challenging for the league next year or anything that drastic. But certainly optimistic that we are going to be a competent team that can follow a plan and work hard. If we can then improve some of the personnel in key areas, there are lots of reasons to be hopeful moving forward.

Changing the culture and attitude was seen by some as Amorim's hardest task and he looks to have already made great strides with that.
 
flameinthesun said:
Still think its way too early. The same plaudits were being given to Ten Hag and Ole early on. The United teams were always capable of raising their levels for games vs rivals every now and then. Its this next run of games where we need to see a true difference. At the moment, everything said about Amorim was said about Ten Hag after half a season in.
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The difference is that ETH didn't come into the club mid season with 90% of the players confidence and ability shot, was able to make his own signings soon after coming in, along with a pre season. We still started seasons absolutely horrendously under him. What Ruben has been able to do in such a short space of time with a team that's in no way his own yet, aside from a few is nothing short of admirable. He does need to start picking up points in the league now, to really get us back on track this season.

Ole on the other hand was a caretaker who actually inherited a very good squad at the time, along with Jose's already instilled defensive drilling.
 
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Judas said:
Our ability to breakdown teams who are sat back has been woeful for so many years, so that’s going to be a big test to sort out, especially with our less than stellar attack.
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I think out form will be up and down for the rest of the season because of our attack. There just isn't enough goals in the team to go on a strong run. We will slip up in a few games we would expect to win. Unless Rasmus or JZ turn their form around.
 
romufc said:
Its all well and good this but when the pressure hits, managers change.

I remember this time last year or before perhaps where Ange was the same, didn't want to blame ref's, now he is blaming them.
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He won't talk about refs. It's a matter of principle. He explained that in multiple interviews. We had games at Sporting where we were clearly affected by bad refereeing decisions and even with the constant baiting of our media he doesn't like or wants to talk about refs. He has been very coherent regarding that.
 
Oldyella said:
I think out form will be up and down for the rest of the season because of our attack. There just isn't enough goals in the team to go on a strong run. We will slip up in a few games we would expect to win. Unless Rasmus or JZ turn their form around.
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Its not just the attack. As much as I appreciate De Ligt and Maguires performances recently, they were playing a very different role to that they are asked to play against the smaller sides. Thats why we keep getting into issues. Poor offensively and then caught out in defence because our CBs aren't mobile enough unless they are playing in more of a static defensive game.
 
Has anybody mentioned how weird+genius it was that Amorim put two CBs in the first 5 penalty takers? One of them a youngster in Leny, too.

AND IT WORKED wonderfully!

A stroke of genius – defenders are calmer and calm wins pens? Or something he saw in training, or both? Whatever it was - he nailed it!
 
NewGlory said:
Has anybody mentioned how weird+genius it was that Amorim put two CBs in the first 5 penalty takers? One of them a youngster in Leny, too.

AND IT WORKED wonderfully!

A stroke of genius – defenders are calmer and calm wins pens? Or something he saw in training, or both? Whatever it was - he nailed it!
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I am not sure any of that was the reason... we had 10 men and our forwards were Bruno, Amad, Zirkzee and all 3 took pens. So the only ones remaining in midfield were Collyer.
 
NewGlory said:
Has anybody mentioned how weird+genius it was that Amorim put two CBs in the first 5 penalty takers? One of them a youngster in Leny, too.

AND IT WORKED wonderfully!

A stroke of genius – defenders are calmer and calm wins pens? Or something he saw in training, or both? Whatever it was - he nailed it!
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Dunno, we've quite often had some strange candidates up first for pens. Casemiro and Dalot took the first two against Coventry in the FA Cup semi last year.

At least we're a lot better at them than we used to be.
 
Adisa said:
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Probably saved us a goals as well, had the players been more lackadaisical in their effort the result would have been different there.
343 said:
After having already player +90 minutes too. I really want to know where that myth began that he was slow.
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His acceleration isn't the best, it gives the impression of him being slow overall.
 
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romufc said:
The difference imo is clear. Ten Hag lost the dressing room because he had 1 rule for 1 player and another rule for the rest.

Rashford got numerous chances whilst other players were quick to be punished.

He signed his players then said he doesnt have players to play Ajax way... which is what he was brought in for.

Amorim, on the other hand has started with his principles and said adapt or leave basically. He wont change the system to suit the players, the players need to change. That is how it should be, if you believe in something, stick with it.

I have always looked at how teams play, you can tell when a team is going to be good. When we play under Amorim, I get that feeling because we dont get bullied as much and we keep the ball alot better.
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Put too much faith in Rashford after his 30 goal season, the amount of games he looked disinterested and walked around the pitch, but still Ten Hag kept piking him game after game, not to mention it was hard to see what our tactics were 90% of the time
 
romufc said:
I am not sure any of that was the reason... we had 10 men and our forwards were Bruno, Amad, Zirkzee and all 3 took pens. So the only ones remaining in midfield were Collyer.
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Makes sense. Forgot who was on, by the end of 120 minutes. Thanks
 
Not sure if it's just Ruben, but we've had more scraps this past few weeks, than the last 10 years combined. And I like that, we need some character build up and last night Maguire going berserk was refreshing. Amorim is cool as a cucumber on the sidelines though.
 
AmorimEra99 said:
The last time we won against a top opposition with 10 men was against arsenal at the Emirates under Jose Mourinho in 2017/18 season.
So proud of Amorim, can’t wait to see us compete under him.
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Even in that instance, Pogba got sent off with 15 minutes to play while we were 3-1 up. A little different than yesterday's game.
 
Kostov said:
Not sure if it's just Ruben, but we've had more scraps this past few weeks, than the last 10 years combined. And I like that, we need some character build up and last night Maguire going berserk was refreshing. Amorim is cool as a cucumber on the sidelines though.
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Agreed this is the sort of fight we have to show in every game.
Easier to rev yourself up whilst under the cosh against a big team, now we have to do that against everyone else as well.
Let’s hope that happens!
 
davidmichael said:
After a few weeks of rotating to see who fits in his system and a couple of weeks of actually being able to coach in training it looks like Amorim has worked out his core members of his desired squad from what we have and is beginning to rotate less so he can get those players playing together in his system.

It looks like Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro, Martinez, Ugarte, Mainoo, Diallo, Fernandes and Hojlund are the core members that will be definitely kept around whilst Dalot, Mount, Garnacho and Collyer are probables so Amorim now has a very good idea of what positions he needs to recruit in and also upgrade in.

I’d say it’s a certainty that Malacia, Lindelof, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony and Rashford will follow Sancho out the door in the summer if not before whilst I’d expect Heaton and Evans to retire and maybe take up coaching roles but for the first time since Mourinho came in I’m genuinely excited on where we go under a new coach and unlike Mourinho we have the bonus of Amorim not being burnt out or broken by previous clubs.
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I just hope he's realized by now how bad Dalot is and will get rid of him depsite their Portugal connection.
 
Rúben Amorim at Manchester United: Part 1 – The Game with the Ball

A comprehensive 14,000-word analysis of Amorim’s early weeks: tackling possession play issues and reshaping the team post-Ten Hag.

➡️ Challenges, adjustments & first glimpses of progress.

[Translation is coming soon]

https://spielverlagerung.de/2025/01/11/amorim-bei-Man Utd-teil-1-das-spiel-mit-dem-ball-mx/
 
Looking back at the Cup game, it strikes me that the big lesson was to have trust in ourselves, and in youth. The other point is about character. To draw at Anfield and overcome the gunners at home would have been major even for peak United in the glory years. It’s a credit to the manager.

Collyer was great when he came on yesterday. On one occasion he went thundering into the box and just needed a well-timed delivery.

Maguire - my MOTM - was utterly outstanding, in an outstanding back three. Character is being prioritised now, building on these; Ugarte, too, Mazraoui, too. Bruno has always shown no end of passion and commitment; likewise Dalot. I liked the attitude of Bayindir. Out of the starting eleven, that leaves Garnacho, Amad, Mainoo. All three have lots of talent; they also have different strengths and weaknesses. I feel Garnacho may be the biggest challenge/conundrum for Amorim. But I trust him to sort it out. All I hope is that PSR rules don’t force us into regrettable transfers (out), without the corresponding benefits. We need a left wingback, and another striker. Beyond that let’s stick with what we got. Amorim’s trust in players like Zirkzee and Bayindir (that many were quick to disparage here) was inspiring yesterday.

Edit; I realise Amad was not a starter.
 
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NewGlory said:
Has anybody mentioned how weird+genius it was that Amorim put two CBs in the first 5 penalty takers? One of them a youngster in Leny, too.

AND IT WORKED wonderfully!

A stroke of genius – defenders are calmer and calm wins pens? Or something he saw in training, or both? Whatever it was - he nailed it!
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Amorim mentioned in his presser that the set pieces and penalty takers were nothing to do with him, it was his coaching staff.

He is keen to give them credit where due, we should as well. Let’s hope we have brought in a great coaching team, so far signs are good!
 
flameinthesun said:
Still think its way too early. The same plaudits were being given to Ten Hag and Ole early on. The United teams were always capable of raising their levels for games vs rivals every now and then. Its this next run of games where we need to see a true difference. At the moment, everything said about Amorim was said about Ten Hag after half a season in.
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Marwood said:
I think the team has always been capable of fight and spirit in these games. The cup final last year we showed it under ETH.

Agree with those who say we shouldn't get carried away about Amorim just yet(although I want to).
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Isn't the difference not that Amorin has also been prepared to drop the lazy prima donnas who will never sprint back (among the other unwelcome distractions that they also bring)?
 
aeh1991 said:
I just hope he's realized by now how bad Dalot is and will get rid of him depsite their Portugal connection.
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Tripe. Dalot is a treasure. I hope you enjoyed us beating Arsenal, or is football your thing?
 
aeh1991 said:
I just hope he's realized by now how bad Dalot is and will get rid of him depsite their Portugal connection.
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I can see Dalot being kept around as a squad option as he can produce good performances and isn’t big wages so as a defensive wing back he’s not a bad option, Dalot would definitely be in the list of probable to stay but definitely upgraded on as soon as possible.
 
ManUArfa said:
Isn't the difference not that Amorin has also been prepared to drop the lazy prima donnas who will never sprint back (among the other unwelcome distractions that they also bring)?
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Right now we can't say there's a difference. I'm quietly confident in Amorim, more than I wasin ETH but it's too soon.

I want to believe there's a big difference but everything we've seen under Amorim so far we saw under ETH. That won't go down well but it's true. First season we had some good results against the top teams. Last season we did.

When ETH first came in it was declared he was so much better than Ole. When really it was a Rashford purple patch that made the big difference.

What we can say for certain is last summer was the best window we've had in ages. That is going to help.
 
ManUArfa said:
Isn't the difference not that Amorin has also been prepared to drop the lazy prima donnas who will never sprint back (among the other unwelcome distractions that they also bring)?
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Again a similar thing which could have been said about Ten Hag regarding Ronaldo, Sancho.

I think some people are misinterpreting the cautious approach to seeing how things go. I'm all aboard the Amorim train but he hasn't really shown that much in terms of difference when compared to what Ten Hag showed in his first season. Although the 2 away performances vs City and Pool I do think were very promising signs. Need a bigger sample size.
 
VP89 said:
I actually like Dalot but he's been very shit generally.
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Disagree strongly with that.
Yesterday he lost his head with that challenge for sure but he is very capable and with the right coaching could become even better.
I’m not worried about him at all. Centre forward is where we need an immediate upgrade.
 
Marwood said:
Right now we can't say there's a difference. I'm quietly confident in Amorim, more than I wasin ETH but it's too soon.

I want to believe there's a big difference but everything we've seen under Amorim so far we saw under ETH. That won't go down well but it's true. First season we had some good results against the top teams. Last season we did.

When ETH first came in it was declared he was so much better than Ole. When really it was a Rashford purple patch that made the big difference.

What we can say for certain is last summer was the best window we've had in ages. That is going to help.
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ETH's good results against top sides all came at home. Never away. Amorim already has him beat in that regard.

I wanted ETH, I was happy when we got him, I thought he had the tools to lead us out of the wilderness. And in some regards, I guess he did since he won a few trophies. But there's something about Amorim that ETH never had and in fact no manager has had since Fergie. I guess you'd call it an aura for lack of a better term?

To be honest, it was the sub of Zirkzee in the first half against Newcastle where I had a feeling deep down that Amorim is going to revive us. Under the circumstances, even though it was an obviously correct move, I think very few managers have the guts to do something like that so early in their tenure.
 
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