⏮️ Amorim, Guardiola, Arteta, Slot and more speak ahead of the weekend | OneFootball

It's Friday, which means it's press conference day as the Premier League returns from the final international break of 2024. You can follow all the updates here.

And finally, Amorim on how his team might look on Sunday when they face Ipswich.

"As a coach, you have to choose one way or another. I always, 100%, [do it] our way. I prefer to risk but push in the first moment."

"Since the first moment, I believe so much in our way of playing, there’s no second way. We will adapt some players because we don’t have the right profiles as this squad was set up for a different system. When you see the team on Sunday, it will be similar players, but in the game it will be different."

Amorim doesn't believe United is the "impossible job".

"Of course not, I truly believe that. Call me naive, I truly believe I’m the right guy for the right moment. I’m not worried about that."

Amorim on his role in United's recruitment.

This is a football club that will be here for a long time. You have to work with everyone together, we have to improve the process of recruitment.

"I want to have a strong position on that because of how I want to play. It should be together but I think the manager should get the final say. When everything is aligned, we can buy and sell players."

I have a great responsibility when we choose players because that is something that should be done in this way, I should be able to choose the players."

Amorim clearly backs himself, but he is not overly interested in the inevitable comparisons with Mourinho, who arrived in English football 20 years ago with a similar burgeoning reputation.

There are some notable differences, however.

"With all the Portuguese coaches, we've shown that we can be the best in the world. I'm different from Mourinho. I remember that time. You looked at Mourinho and felt he can win everywhere. It's not the same thing. He was European champion, I am not.

"Football is different nowadays, I think I am the right person for this moment. I am a young guy and I try to use this to help my players. Their young guys were [Frank] Lampard and these kind of players, nowadays it's so much different. I think I'm right for now."

Here's more from the new gaffer on what United need to improve on, and is that a nod to Blink-182 at the end? Probably not.

"Simple things I think. If you want to speak about the team and the way we play, we lose the ball too often. We have to be better at running back and we have to be very good in the details."

"It’s the small things, we have to improve the small things. Understanding the small things, I think is what I'm good it."

Amorim is expected to adopt his favoured 3-4-3 system at Old Trafford, but he doesn't see it as a big deal.

It's not revolution. The football is not so different with five at the back, four at the back, three at the back. It’s not evolution or revolution, it’s a change in the way we play football."

The new boss is under no illusions of the task at hand to return United to past glories.

"I don’t know about repair. We have space to grow as a team. We have to improve in a lot of areas. I know it’s a different way of playing and we are changing the way we play.

"We have to change the physical aspect of the team. I don’t know how long it will take. I know at Manchester United we have to win games. We need a lot of time because it's a tough league, we have to improve a lot to try to win the title."

Amorim has confirmed he spoke with José Mourinho, who is both a former United manager and a mentor of sorts to his countryman.

"He sent me a message, it’s a big club, lovely club with lovely people, and he’s correct, it still is."

"We are building a new club. I am a different guy. I hope to teach something different here to my players. It’s the best club in England. We want to win, that’s all."

The moment has arrived. New Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is speaking at his first press conference, and he's started off positively.

"I’m a little bit of a dreamer, I believe in myself. I believe in the club, we have the same mindset."

"I truly believe in the players, I know you don’t believe a lot but I do. I want to try new things. You guys don’t think it’s possible, I do."

Under-fire West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui has said he might be without two unnamed players for the trip to Newcastle, and is still without one of his major summer signings.

"We have a little problem with two players but we will have to check tomorrow. I hope that they are going to be ready for Monday's challenge. Niclas (Füllkrug) is out. He is improving but he is not ready for Newcastle."

"They are little things (the injuries) so I hope we are going to be able to work on these problems."

On a more positive note for the Gunners, Arteta confirmed Riccardo Calafiori is fit again.

"His rehab has gone really well. He will be in the squad."

Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard should also be fit to face Forest.

In a big blow to Arsenal's hopes of reigniting their season, Mikel Arteta has confirmed defender Ben White is set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines with an ongoing knee injury.

"Ben is gonna be out for months. It’s been different kinds of struggles. It’s never been the same thing. It’s not been improving. It got to a point a where we have to protect the player. Unfortunately it’s going to be a few months."

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola has said he has no fresh injury concerns ahead of his side's clash with Brighton, and hopes Antoine Semenyo is fit to play.

The attacker didn't travel with Ghana on international duty.

He is similar to Milos [Kerkez], they are young and playing a lot of minutes. I think it's kind of a tendonitis [issue]. It's the only time he had to get treatment to try and solve a more chronic issue. I think they can continue playing with this, I hope it becomes better and better.

"I hope they can both play tomorrow."

Ange Postecoglou's bid to beat Guardiola again, and bounce back from a shock home loss to Ipswich, will take place without Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Richarlison among others.

However, the Argentine defender could return soon.

"Romero won’t be right for tomorrow’s game. We’re hoping he will be alright for next week. The ones who were out before that are still out.”

Spurs were the team to kickstart City's current four-game losing run with their EFL Cup victory, and Guardiola says it's up to his team to change things.

"We have to break the situation. We have to start winning games, we know it.

Rodri will make his first appearance at the Etihad since winning the Ballon d'Or, which could provide some inspiration.

"Tomorrow, with Rodri coming back, since the Ballon d'Or we could not see him and congratulate him."

"We are coming back at home so hopefully we can perform well and start to take our rhythm."

There was no questions on Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, who both withdrew from the England squad last week.

However, the pair were spotted in City training, so should be good to go against Spurs.

The City boss has also confirmed Mateo Kovačić is injured for tomorrow's clash with Tottenham, and "will be (missing) while - three weeks or one month."

He also said Rúben Dias is his only defensive injury, meaning John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Aké are all available for selection.

Guardiola is now here, and he's speaking on his new contract in relation to the 115 charges City are facing for alleged PSR/FFP breaches.

Fabian Hürzeler echoed those sentiments, and went even further, calling Guardiola's decision to stay "the best thing that can happen to the Premier League."

The 31-year-old Brighton manager beat the current Premier League champions on their last outing, and clearly relishes the prospect of going up against the City boss for a few more seasons.

"I'm very happy because we can learn from him and to compete with him is a big, big experience."

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While most rival managers will be dismayed by the news that Pep Guardiola is sticking around at Manchester City, Howe (at least publicly) was not.

I was delighted to see that. On a serious note, I think he's contributed so much to English football. I think he's revolutionised how a lot of teams play. I think he's incredibly talented and I think it's good for the English game that he's still here.

"He will continue to develop and evolve his style and people will potentially continue to follow that. From the competition side, I think it keeps the Premier League as the best game in the world."

Newcastle host West Ham on Monday night looking to build on a strong run of recent results, and Eddie Howe might have two of his most experienced players available for selection.

First up is the the head coach of the side leading the way in the table, Liverpool's Arne Slot.

He has confirmed Alisson is back in training and "getting better and better" but still "not ready to play on Sunday" against Southampton.

The Brazilian keeper has been sidelined since early October with a hamstring injury, and Caoimhín Kelleher will deputise once again at St. Mary's.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is also likely to miss out, but could be back for Wednesday's clash with Real Madrid.

Slot added that Harvey Elliott is back training after breaking his foot in August.

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Friday's Premier League press conferences. There's plenty to look forward to, including Ruben Amorim's first press conference as Manchester United's new head coach, and Pep Guardiola speaking following the news of his contract extension.