If there is any player who could be forgiven for being a little relieved by Erik ten Hag’s departure, it is Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana.
The Cameroon international would never admit it, of course. Andre Onana retains an excellent relationship with his former Ajax boss Ten Hag, after all.
But after spending much of his first 15 months at Manchester United facing more shots than a university rugby team on student’s night – there was a time last season in which the Red Devils periodically conceded 20-plus attempts on goal every single game – Onana should be one of those who benefits the most as Ruben Amorim prepares to cast fresh eyes over the Red Devils’ talented but often underperforming backline.
The £47 million signing from Inter Milan, meanwhile, has a new goalkeeping coach to get used to at Carrington.
Jelle ten Rouwelaar had impressed Man United’s shot-stoppers after joining in the summer. But with the Dutchman departing alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake, Amorim brings Jorge Vital with him from the Portuguese capital.
Andre Onana tipped to benefit from Jorge Vital’s Manchester United arrival
Silvino Louro, Man United’s goalkeeping coach in the Jose Mourinho era, is better placed than most to give his verdict on Jorge Vital’s arrival.
Louro worked alongside Vital back in 2023, after all. He has seen how the 63-year-old’s teachings have aided the respective glovesmen at Braga and Sporting, too, with Vital now responsible for helping Onana iron out the kinks in his game at Carrington.
“Jorge has already shown he is an excellent coach, which I got to fully appreciate when we did our UEFA Goalkeeper A Diploma together last year,” Louro tells The Mirror, insisting that Vital will aid Onana’s ball-playing prowess.
“He has always prepared the goalkeepers he has worked with extremely well and I’m certain he will do the same at United.
“As coach of Sporting, Ruben’s style was to play out from the back. But at United he will need to decide on the style that will bring the best out of his squad.”
Leny Yoro is ready to make his Man United debut against Ipswich Town on Sunday. And with Lisandro Martinez and Kobbie Mainoo expected to be available too, the Red Devils should have relatively few problems building from the back in the way Amorim likes.
“After his outstanding work at Braga and Sporting, Ruben has shown he is more than ready to coach a club of the stature of United,” adds Louro, who watched from the stands as Amad Diallo inspired Man United’s Europa League win over PAOK a few weeks ago.
“Ruben has gained enormous experience from his time at Sporting and, achieving what he has achieved, I know he won’t feel pressure just because he’s now the coach of United.
“He will obviously need time to get to know the players and the qualities they bring to the table, in order to get the most from his squad. I know Ruben very well and have no doubt he will continue the excellent job he did at Braga and Sporting at United.”
Jose Mourinho’s goalkeeping coach expects Ruben Amorim to succeed
Amorim ended Braga’s four-year wait for silverware before moving to the Estadio Jose Alvalade and making Sporting the champions of Portugal after two decades of disappointment.
With Man United’s Premier League drought now extending into a twelth year, Amorim’s penchant for shaking sleeping giants from their slumber bodes well.
“Ruben brings enormous expertise both as a player and a coach,” former Inter Milan and Real Madrid coach Louro explains, believing that the changes brought about by Ineos makes Old Trafford a more fertile environment for success than during the Glazer era.
“[Amorim] is very professional and knows what he wants, but also gets on very well with everyone around him. He will just need a little bit of luck as well.”
“The structure at United now is different to our time at the club six years ago. Provided the new structure helps Ruben – and he is given time to do the job – I have no doubt that it will be a great success.”
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