Ruben Amorim delivers stark warning to fans as he claims it will take time to make Man United great...

Ruben Amorim will manage his inaugural match for Manchester United this Sunday. The team hasn't secured a league title since 2013 and ended up in eighth place last season. Could Ruben Amorim be the one to turn things around for Man United? Tune in to "It's All Kicking Off!"—available on all podcast platforms—with new episodes released every Monday and Thursday.

Posted: 10:30 PM GMT, November 23, 2024 | Revised: 11:33 PM GMT, November 23, 2024

Ruben Amorim was just a little over a year and a half old when Sir Alex Ferguson managed his first game as the head coach of Manchester United at Oxford United, which happened 38 years ago this month.

Similar to Amorim, Ferguson was brought into Old Trafford in November and given the challenge of revitalizing the once-great team of English football. He managed to accomplish this goal remarkably well, especially after navigating through some tough initial seasons.

Ipswich Town and Oxford United are quite different, and Portman Road isn't the same as the Manor Ground, where 13,545 spectators watched Ferguson experience a 2-0 loss in his debut back in 1986. However, some parallels can be made between the two situations as Amorim gets ready for his first match as United's head coach in Suffolk this Sunday afternoon.

The 39-year-old is quite intelligent and has a deep understanding of the sport, which became evident during his introduction at Carrington on Friday. Over the past 11 years, he has seen a number of coaches struggle to step out from under Ferguson's influence.

By skillfully avoiding comparisons to his fellow Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, he also showed hesitance in making any similarities with Ferguson.

"It's not easy to imitate someone else, so I need to stay true to myself," Amorim stated, noting that he hasn't had the chance to meet the Scottish coach. "Things have changed, and I must take a different route. I can't replicate what Sir Alex Ferguson did. However, I can still be assertive but in my own unique way. That’s what I’m concentrating on."

Ruben Amorim held a press conference before his inaugural match as the manager of Manchester United.

Amorim joined Old Trafford earlier this month following a successful time at Sporting Lisbon.

Amorin was a little kid just shy of turning two when Sir Alex Ferguson managed his first game as the head of United at Oxford United, which happened 38 years ago this month.

It's essential to set high expectations. This is a team that must achieve victory, and we need to communicate that to our players.

The previous manager of Sporting Lisbon is confident that he can be just as firm in making changes at United.

For Ferguson, the goal was to eliminate the drinking culture he had inherited. For Amorim, his challenge is to get more performance out of a team that hasn’t been meeting expectations, motivating them to adopt his preferred 3-4-3 formation. Their journey begins this Sunday against Ipswich, who are coming off a satisfying first Premier League victory against Tottenham in their last match.

"In the locker room, there are areas for having a good time and areas where you need to put in serious effort," he cautioned.

I can be quite tough when the situation calls for it. If you expect me to always be the kindest person around, just know that my demeanor shifts dramatically when someone is being selfish.

I'm not the type of person who feels the need to assert my authority. They’ll notice it in the little things; I can be friendly and approachable, but when it comes to getting work done, I take on a different mindset. They recognize and appreciate that about me.

During the brief period that Amorim has had to train his players over the past week during the international break, following the acquisition of his visa, the main emphasis has been on ball retention and the relentless effort to win it back when they lose it. This is a crucial aspect of his coaching approach.

Amorim emphasized how challenging it is to join a team halfway through the season. "You need to learn about the players while you're playing in matches," he remarked.

He will make his Premier League debut this Sunday at Portman Road, facing Ipswich.

Amorim, who is 39 years old, is anticipated to set up his United team using his preferred 3-4-3 formation.

When you're winning, it's really enjoyable to play many games and focus on implementing some useful adjustments. However, if you're not doing well, you might not have enough practice time to figure out everything you'd like to improve.

One area where you can enhance a team is through training, which is crucial. You can encourage the players to quickly regain possession of the ball and respond swiftly, but without practice exercises, it’s challenging to execute those skills during games. We will explore effective methods to address this.

"We're focusing on one match at a time, and our main goal right now is to secure a victory against Ipswich."

Ferguson spent three and a half years before securing his first trophy with United after that initial match at the Manor Ground. Amorim understands that he probably won't have the same amount of time to adjust.

"The only way I can get through this is by pouring all my energy into my work, and there’s plenty to keep me busy at our club," he finished.

I'm aware of the standards we set. Having high expectations can be challenging, as it's important to learn how to handle and balance them properly.

We understand that this will require patience and that the process won't be straightforward.