According to Fabrizio Romano, there is one word that has come up again and again during Ruben Amorim’s early talks with the Manchester United bosses.
And that word will come as little surprise to those who watched on in awe as Ruben Amorim’s Sporting Lisbon destroyed Manchester City in the Champions League last week.
A performance of discipline, dynamism, identity and, most crucially of all, ‘intensity’.
The way a fearless, uber-aggressive Sporting snapped at Man City heels before forcing rapid-fire turnovers to expose Pep Guardiola’s high line; this was truly the kind of performance Manchester United supporters could only dream off during the dying embers of the Erik ten Hag era.
The question is, can this United squad fulfil the demands of their new manager? Amorim wants a Man United team who ‘play without fear’, and can control possession with a scything swagger.
If he is to emulate his Sporting success at Old Trafford and bring an end to another long wait to a top-flight title, Amorim will also need a squad who can outrun, out-press, and out-muscle the opposition.
Hence why Ten Hag’s successor has reportedly informed Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth, Jason Wilcox and co that any player brought in to Manchester United from now onwards must epitomise that one word which sums up Amorim-ball like no other; ‘Intensity’.
Ruben Amorim sends transfer demand to Manchester United bosses
“What I can tell you on the market is that, from what I’m hearing, the first indication from Ruben Amorim to Manchester United directors, to Manchester United management, is we need to bring players with intensity,” explains Fabrizio Romano.
“This was the crucial word he mentioned in the opening doors and meetings he had with Manchester United. Intensity. Intensity, intensity.
“So, Manchester United are going in that direction. They have spent important money on several players in recent years, but they also have some players who have lots of quality; a big history, big personality.
“Players like Casemiro, players like [Christian] Eriksen, many of them, especially in the midfield.”
There are certainly a few players at Man United’s disposal who should benefit from Ruben Amorim’s arrival.
Manuel Ugarte is tailor-made for Amorim’s Man United
Manuel Ugarte, his former Sporting enforcer, is the most obvious. Ugarte was outstanding as Man United cruised past Leicester City 3-0 on Sunday, making more tackles in a Premier League game [eight] since records began.
“He played really well under Ruben at Sporting, hence why got his move to PSG,” MUTV pundit Danny Webber said over the weekend.
“He’s now got those games [under his belt], and he’s starting to show what he’s about. Getting to tackles with immense intensity, his tenacity when he’s gonna go and close people down.
The Uruguayan might not be the most naturally-gifted member of the United roster but he is certainly not lacking in intensity.
Amad Diallo’s willingness to hassle, harry and win possession in the final third will appeal to Amorim too. As will Lisandro Martinez’s front-footed defending, not to mention a revitalised Casemiro freed up by the presence of Ugarte alongside him in a suddenly far-improved United midfield.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
