Ruben Amorim points to Manchester United weaknesses as he reveals what will change

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Evening Standard

·22 November 2024

Ruben Amorim points to Manchester United weaknesses as he reveals what will change

Amorim has admitted the players “have to be better” off the ball

Ruben Amorim has revealed what he will change at Manchester United to ensure they return to the top table of English football.

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The former Sporting Lisbon manager begins his reign as the Red Devils’ new head coach on Sunday when United visit Portman Road to face Ipswich Town.

Amorim has joined United after the club sacked predecessor Erik ten Hag following two and a half years at the helm.

United have not won the Premier League since 2013, in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season in charge, and Amorim is the sixth permanent manager to be given the task of restoring the club to its former glory since Ferguson’s retirement 11 years ago.

United languish in 13th place ahead of Amorim’s first game in charge.

Speaking to the media for the first time since taking the role, Amorim said: “It is so much different from Sporting. You feel it is a global club. I feel very happy, very comfortable, so I feel at home.”

Asked why he believes he can turn United’s fortunes around, he replied: “I am a little bit of a dreamer. I believe me and the club have the same mindset. I truly believe in the players as well. I know you guys [the media] don’t believe a lot. Until they prove me wrong, I believe in the players.”

Ruben Amorim will lead Man United for the first time this weekend

Manchester United via Getty Imag

When quizzed on whether it is accurate to call the Manchester United manager’s position ‘the impossible job’, Amorim responded: “No of course not. Call me naïve. I truly believe that I am the right guy for this job.

“We have space to grow. We have to improve in a lot of areas. I think we have to improve the physical aspect of the team. We will play a different type of football.”

Amorim explained what he will seek to change as quickly as possible in order to bring about success at Old Trafford.

“Simple things,” he said. “If you want to speak about the way we play, I think we lose the ball too often. We have to keep the ball. We have to be better at running back. I think that is clear for everybody. And we have to be bigger on the details.

“We need a lot of time because it is the strongest league in the world, and we have to improve a lot to try to win it.

“We will play a different type of football. You can watch on TV, but I have to train with them to see if they are open to changing positions. We are in that process.”