Ruben Amorim Q&A: Do Man Utd have money to spend in January? Why is his job title ‘head coach’?

On Friday afternoon, Manchester United announced that Ruben Amorim would be their new head coach.

Whenever a new manager takes the helm at a club, it often raises more questions than it resolves. Will Manchester United support him in the transfer window? How is this situation different from when Erik ten Hag joined the team? And what implications does this have for the current players at Old Trafford?

The Athletic invited our readers to share their most important questions, which our specialists Mark Critchley, Carl Anka, and Mark Carey have addressed in the following responses.

Ben M. inquired: While Erik ten Hag held the title of "manager," Amorim is referred to as the "head coach"—what's the reason behind this distinction? Is INEOS establishing a clear direction and instructing Amorim to lead us in that path? Or does this imply that he won't have complete authority, such as making final decisions on player selections and similar matters?

Mark Critchley: It's worth mentioning that the difference in job titles is intriguing, Ben, but it was anticipated. INEOS sees the manager's position as part of a larger framework, primarily focused on responsibilities related to on-field performance. The 'head coaches' at Nice and Lausanne hold the same title as well.

This implies that Amorim's role may be narrower compared to earlier managers at United. It's likely he will still be responsible for choosing the starting lineup. However, Ten Hag had a specific clause in his contract that allowed him to approve or reject transfer targets, which indicates a level of control that INEOS would probably want to reserve for higher management.

Ten Hag held the position of head coach at United (Justin Setterfield/Getty Images).

Scott M. posed an interesting question: I’m hopeful about this new appointment, but there are several striking similarities to Ten Hag’s hiring from two years ago. Both are in high demand, both are celebrated in their homeland for achieving real success—what makes this situation different?

Carl Anka: That’s a great question, Scott, and I can see why United fans might feel uncertain about the recent updates. Every manager brought in after Ferguson has been hailed as the one who could save the club, but they have all eventually faced various challenges that held them back.

The distinction in this case will primarily hinge on the decisions Amorim takes. Ten Hag invested heavily in bringing in players from Ajax to Manchester United, yet in the 2023-24 season, he stated that his team would never replicate the style of play of his previous club. For some unknown reason, the qualities that initially made him successful began to fade, and his shortcomings became more apparent.

To set himself apart, Amorim should focus on what has been successful for him at Sporting instead of discarding those methods when challenges arise. As a head coach rather than a traditional manager, he ideally has more time to invest in training, allowing him to fine-tune his 3-4-3 formation.

He seems to have a clearer understanding of how to manage the midfield, an area where Ten Hag struggled when Casemiro faced injuries and suspensions.

David N. inquired: Given Amorim's system and our budget limitations regarding new player acquisitions, do you believe it would be wiser to continue playing Rashford or to sell him? I can't quite see a position where Rashford can really thrive. It seems like we might be putting him in a spot that doesn't suit him and just crossing our fingers for positive outcomes.

Mark Carey: It's clear that Rashford will need to adjust to the way Amorim prefers to play.

Amorim's preference for a wing-back formation gives Rashford the option to either take on a more central role as one of the two attacking midfielders in Amorim's 3-4-2-1 setup, or to position himself directly in the center as a traditional striker.

It seems that Rashford's abilities are better suited for situations where he can exploit open space rather than having to navigate through complex, tight passing scenarios. He might be effective as a central striker, utilizing his speed to make runs that pull the opposing defense apart. However, it's likely that Rasmus Hojlund's skill set aligns more closely with Amorim’s approach, similar to how he utilized Viktor Gyokeres at Sporting.

I think Amorim's approach probably won't highlight Rashford's key abilities. Is it possible for Rashford to become an aggressive wing-back? It's doubtful, but changes will need to be made, no matter what.

It's not clear what Rashford's position will be with Amorim at the helm. (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

GlowgroupIreland inquired: Will Ruud van Nistelrooy continue as part of the coaching staff? It could create a strange atmosphere for the players to adjust to a new manager while still having some members from the previous coaching team involved.

Critchley: Van Nistelrooy has openly expressed his wish to continue in his role, stating that he is ready to contribute "in any way possible." However, Amorim prefers to have a number of his Sporting coaching team accompany him to Manchester, specifically mentioning his three assistants: Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido, and Emanuel Ferro.

This brings uncertainty to Van Nistelrooy's future after the upcoming three matches and also casts doubt on the other coaches who were brought in during the staff reorganization at United this summer.

Although Van Nistelrooy's time back in charge may be brief, he has had a chance to shine during his four games at the helm, starting off with a solid victory. A strong performance in the matches leading up to the international break in November could benefit him if he’s looking for new opportunities once Amorim takes over.

Stuart L. expressed his doubts about the emphasis on the 3-4-3 formation. He mentioned that with five defenders chosen for each match and a setup that doesn’t really utilize wingers, it seems unlikely that players like Garnacho, Amad, and especially Rashford would be satisfied with their amount of playing time. He also questioned which of those players, along with Antony, might end up leaving in the summer.

Carey: I agree with the idea overall, but I think Amorim prefers his wing-backs to maintain a high and wide position on the field. This means that we might see them more as attacking players who still need to focus on their defensive responsibilities, rather than the other way around.

It's fascinating to note that over the last year, one of the biggest strengths for United has been their wide forwards who pose a strong attacking threat, frequently cutting in to shoot with their dominant foot. However, under Amorim's management, this is expected to change. He is likely to prefer using wing-backs who operate on the flank, complemented by central attacking players positioned in the narrower spaces.

One might think that Antony's time is running out, but I believe there's still an opportunity for Rashford to find a way to adjust.

It may seem like a risky move, but could a pair of wing-backs featuring Amad on the left and Garnacho on the right thrill Manchester United supporters? Both players are young and adaptable, making them suitable candidates to fit into this new setup with the right guidance.

Anka: It's important to keep in mind that United, despite not being in top shape, will have a packed schedule with many matches to play from now until the end of January.

With the League Cup, FA Cup, and the Europa League group stage (plus a probable playoff round), there will be plenty of playing time available.

Definitely, using a 3-4-3 formation probably means that one of the forwards or wingers will end up on the bench. If Amorim decides to feature one forward who excels at passing alongside a fast runner supporting a central striker, then it’s likely that Garnacho or Rashford and Mount or Antony will be competing for those starting spots.

Nonetheless, there should be some time set aside for the new coach to observe the team properly before making any decisions on adjustments.

With that in mind, if you were one of Antony’s advisors, it might be worth suggesting that he consider taking on the left wing-back role for a while, as there seems to be less competition in that position.

Is it possible for Antony to transition into a wing-back role under Amorim? (Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images)

Mica G. inquired: Our youth team is performing exceptionally well at the moment. Do you think Amorim is considering promoting players from that group, and who do you believe has the potential to advance to the next level?

Anka: With Amorim joining the team, the main roster is expected to experience some changes over the next few seasons. If he maintains his preferred 3-4-3 formation—though there's no certainty of that, and we hope he stays true to his vision from the start—adjustments will be made to prevent mismatches between players and their roles.

Given United's financial circumstances, the new head coach might be more interested in promoting talent from the academy and asking Dan Ashworth to find and bring in new players. It's still too early to determine if young talents like Harry Amass and Chido Obi Martin will be moved up to the first team quickly.

Nonetheless, pay attention to the emerging wingers. Amorim has been known for nurturing young talent at Sporting, often transforming them into wing-backs who can run up and down the sidelines, delivering crosses while also effectively passing and receiving the ball in the spaces between. Initially, there was Geny Catamo, followed by Geovany Quenda. If a young player shows dedication and promise, anything is possible!

John M. inquired: Is it possible that Wilcox or Ashworth could recommend, or even insist, that Van Nistelrooy implement a 3-4-2-1 formation to help the players familiarize themselves with it? Or might this approach backfire if Van Nistelrooy isn't fully on board with coaching this formation because he has his own concepts?

Carey: I don't believe that spending a few weeks trying to mimic Amorim's style will be useful before he arrives. I also think it wouldn't be right for Wilcox or Ashworth to dictate what formation Van Nistelrooy should use while he's temporarily in charge.

It's obvious that United is going through a transitional period until Amorim comes on board. The postponed start date isn't great for anyone involved. Therefore, the best approach right now is to concentrate on how they perform against Chelsea, PAOK, and Leicester while using the current setup. Once Amorim arrives, he can bring in his strategies and methods.

Jamie M. inquired: What is the minimum league position that would define a successful season?

Anka: [Puffs cheeks, gives a big shrug]. United is currently six points behind fifth place as they prepare to play Chelsea on Sunday. If Amorim can close that gap by the end of the season, I have no doubt that United fans would be thrilled or pleasantly surprised. Achieving a good league position or winning a cup that secures a spot in European competitions for next season would be beneficial for covering operational expenses and complying with financial fair play regulations.

However, evaluating Amorim solely based on the team's current standing in the league would be premature. This decision is intended for the long term. So, get ready for the journey ahead, buckle up, and let's extend our best wishes to the new coach as he moves forward.

Would it be unreasonable to evaluate Amorim based on the team's performance in the league this season? (Erwin Scheriau/APA/AFP via Getty Images)

Alex C. inquired whether United has the financial resources to enhance the team in January following the dismissal of Ten Hag and the hiring of Amorim. It's clear that this squad is missing the technical skills, tactical understanding, and energy needed to play an effective, high-pressing attacking style of football.

Critchley: Ten Hag received a payment of approximately £15 million. Meanwhile, United has officially spent €11 million to bring Amorim on board.

Include the expenses associated with adjustments to the coaching staff, and suddenly there are significant unexpected costs that the club didn’t anticipate just a couple of months back. And that’s not even considering the broader changes happening behind the scenes.

Having spent approximately £200 million during the summer and experiencing five straight years of financial losses, it was expected that budgets would be restricted in January. There's no indication that this situation has improved.

Manchester United typically doesn't make many purchases during the winter transfer window. Their most recent permanent signing in January was Bruno Fernandes back in 2020. As a result, Amorim might have to hold off until the summer to expect substantial additions to his team.

Dipan M. inquired: We've learned a lot about Amorim's team style (formations, playing strategies, etc.), but how effective is he at managing games? This season, we've seen Ten Haag's strategies succeed in the first half, even if we don't put any points on the board. However, opposing coaches often adjust their tactics for the second half, making it seem like our team is lost. I'm interested in understanding just how adaptable he is tactically.

Anka: To be honest, we’ll just have to wait and see how things unfold. Amorim’s past performances in European tournaments raise a few concerns, but we still have only a rough idea of what his primary strategy for United might look like, not to mention any backup plans.

The Premier League is known for its high level of physicality and diverse strategies. For a significant part of Ten Hag’s time as manager, it seemed he struggled to acknowledge that opposing coaches could be just as intelligent and flexible in their approach as he is.

As a well-known boxer once said, everyone has a strategy until the other team changes things up at halftime. Kieran McKenna will be the first challenge for the 39-year-old. I'm sure he has plenty of thoughts on how to handle players like Fernandes, Rashford, and others…

(Main image: Zed Jameson/PA Images through Getty Images)