By 90min | Created at 2024-11-22 17:35:56 | Updated at 2024-11-23 11:56:54
18 hours ago
Ruben Amorim delivered his first press conference as Manchester United's new head coach on Friday, bringing to life his ideas of a new dawn at Old Trafford.
The revered Portuguese coach arrives full of confidence and character, tasked with reinvigorating the club's fortunes and uniting the fanbase with an exciting brand of football. Amorim has already made some bold statements about the success he intend to deliver, and once again made his feelings clear on the winning mentality he plans to instill when addressing the media.
But what did we actually take from Amorim's first press conference at United's Carrington's training ground? And what can fans expect to see in his first game on Sunday?
Here's 90min's four main takeaways from what he said.
Amorim has faith in his squad / James Gill - Danehouse/GettyImages
While previous managers have come under fire for their treatment of United's players, Amorim looks to have taken a different approach. His first press conference certainly made one thing clear, the coach will speak positively about his players in public.
After just a handful of days at Old Trafford, Amorim is confident that he can craft the current crop of players into a successful side. He's admitted that the style of play amongst the team has already changed, and while it might take some time to see results, Amorim believes he has the right players at his disposal.
"I believe in them because when I start this week, you can say that it is one week, just three trainings, they change their style and everyone is excited," he professed. "But they are open to different things and the only thing I ask is hard work and that you have to believe in a new idea. I felt that and until they prove me wrong. I believe in the players."
But he will play a role in welcoming new talent
Zirkzee joined the club this summer / Visionhaus/GettyImages
If Man Utd want Amorim to succeed, then they must trust his judgement when it comes to transfers and recruitment.
The Red Devils gave Erik ten Hag a fair amount of autonomy, allowing the Dutchman to influence signings in a bid to make his stay as manager as successful as possible. While this strategy failed for a myriad of reasons, Amorim has made it clear he'll also have a strong say in who comes into the club and who goes out.
"I am the coach and I know how we want to play. I think it is altogether but the final word as you say should be with the manager, not because it is your right but because he is your responsibility. In the end they will ask you about the results and in the end that comes through me."
Initial games will allow us to see if Amorim's preferred 3-4-2-1 formation will be a realistic proposition with the current crop of players, or if he'll need to seek out new talent in January.
Amorim will need time / Carlos Rodrigues/GettyImages
As with anything, Amorim will need time to cement his ideas and create a new identity for United - something few managers have been afforded time to do since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down in 2013.
The new coach knows that it will take time to create the club that he wants, and clearly he hopes that fans will allow him to work his magic.
"I know that when you are in Manchester United, you have to win games and I will not tell you that I need a lot of time. Of course we need a lot of time because it is a great league, the strongest league in the world and we have to improve a lot in order to try and win it. So what I can say is that we have to win games and in time, then, win titles."
He hopes to enjoy a long career at Man Utd
Is Amorim the key to Man Utd's glorious return? / Gareth Copley/GettyImages
Unlike his predecessors, Amorim hopes to remain at Old Trafford for a long time. It's clear he views his position at the club as permanent, and will do everything in his power to enjoy a long, successful reign in Manchester.
Amorim wants to win titles, and to do that he knows he needs to gain the backing of fans and players, let alone those in power at the club.
"I think in two years you guys can understand if I am the right man in this process. We will need more time because if you look to the other clubs that are winning this league, they are doing this process for a long time but they are winning so they have time to do this project.
"I understand we will need more than two-and-a-half years, we have to win something, somewhere, but in two years you can understand if you want to continue on this path or change."
