If Ruben Amorim’s post-match comments are anything to go by, the Sporting Lisbon boss could be an improvement on Erik ten Hag at Manchester United in a number of areas on and off the putch.
Speaking after what could prove to be his final game in charge of the reigning Portuguese champions – Viktor Gyokeres’ brace and a Morten Hjulmand strike seeing Sporting past Nacional in the cup – the Manchester United supporters jumped to attention when Ruben Amorim was asked about his seemingly imminent switch to Old Trafford.
As is typical of a man who has spent much of the last few years being quizzed on his future, Ruben Amorim was keen not to give anything away.
Sporting Lisbon confirmed on Tuesday that Man United will trigger his release clause – one they reveal stands at £8.3 million – but the man himself was in no mood to add fuel to the fire.
But if the reporters who travelled all the way to Lisbon may have been disappointed to be denied the chance to break the news of Manchester United’s new boss, there were a few more eye-opening admissions made by the 39-year-old Iberian which should not go unnoticed by the Red Devils faithful.
Ruben Amorim’s post-match comments should intrigue Manchester United
While Erik ten Hag’s messages would often become a little muddled in press conference – communication not really he strong point – the way Amorim speaks about his tactics in a clear, coherent and easy-to-follow manner will be very well received.
Both by the United supporters and, presumably, large sections of an underperforming and seemingly confused squad.
“It was a strange game. The atmosphere was also strange,” Amorim told a press conference, the Sporting supporters understandably emotional as they prepare to say farewell to a manager who ended their 19-year wait for a league title.
“We had some play [in the centre but] not so good on the wings. We didn’t make life easy for [wing-back Ivan] Fresneda on the left. We let Nacional make transitions.
“Then we increased the intensity. We conceded a goal from a deflected shot. It wasn’t a brilliant performance [but] we managed to rotate some players and it was good to prepare for what’s to come.”
One of the biggest criticisms that came Ten Hag’s way was the Dutchman’s apparent reluctance – or inability – to solve Man United’s vulnerability to quick counter-attacks.
And while Nacional had some success hitting Sporting on the break, it is a positive sign that Amorim both spotted that and made changes to fix it.
The United supporters were left with a nasty case of deja vu on Sunday afternoon, meanwhile. As Julen Lopetegui switched West Ham around at the break, the momentum shifting in their direction, Ten Hag once again looked lost on the touchline and unable to alter the tide.
In contrast, Amorim, as Sporting edged past a tricky Nacional outfit, made a couple of key tactical changes which proved central to the win.
He was also keen to avoid overloading certain players in order to manage their fitness, resting in-form winger Francisco Trincao and star striker Gyokeres while bringing both off the bench.
He was rewarded, too, as a refreshed Gyokeres came on and hit a late brace.
Amorim explains how he masterminded latest Sporting Lisbon win
“Marcus [Edwards] had to come off to manage the effort,” Amorim adds, shifting forward Maxi Araujo to left-wing-back in order to stretch the pitch and pull Nacional out of position.
“We put Maxi on the left because the ball was going to the touchline and we had more solutions there.
“Not wanting to tire the players, we are also on the third day of recovery where some have to play and others have to recover more time. Trincao and Gyokeres are in good form.
“We managed to win and manage the team.”
Ten Hag, during two years in the Man United dugout, faced near-constant criticism over his in-game management. The former Ajax boss also risked key players by starting them even against limited opposition in cup competitions. A remarkable injury crisis throughout 2023/24 cannot solely be put down to bad luck.
While there is a risk of drawing too many conclusions from just one game, however, the manner in which Ruben Amorim managed his Sporting squad into the next round of the Portuguese cup highlighted a few refreshing changes Ten Hag’s successor could bring to Old Trafford.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
