Ruben Amorim appears to have made quite the impression on his Manchester United squad.
And while a few select photos of a grinning Marcus Rashford and a delighted Casemiro tweet counts for nothing at this stage – lest we forget, there was a similar sense of optimism surrounding Carrington when Erik ten Hag took over back in 2022 – it appears that the Dutchman’s replacement left the Red Devils roster nodding in approval as Amorim took charge of training for the first time on Monday.
Ruben Amorim, as is often the case when discussing any talented young Portuguese tactician bursting onto the scene, has long since been likened to Jose Mourinho.
A reputation he gained when guiding a rock-solid, defensively-drilled Sporting to their first Primeira Liga title in two decades.
And, according to The Sun, the comparisons between Amorim and a younger Mourinho – when his hair was jet black and his ‘special one’ narrative was intriguing all across the UK – are now being repeated by some behind the scenes at Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim impresses Manchester United stars
The Sun report that the Man United squad have been left ‘blown away’ by the ‘Mourinho-style confidence’ Amorim carries himself with. During that first visit to Old Trafford last week, and throughout his introductory interview, the 39-year-old has exuded an almost effortless self-belief.
A man who, rather than wary of the pressure involved in arguably the sport’s most high-profile role, is embracing it.
“Even before Monday’s first session, the players have been very impressed,” The Sun writes, via a source close to the Old Trafford outfit. “Then, after the [training] sessions, they are blown away by his energy, approach and confidence.
“There’s definite Mourinho vibes in the way he speaks and his self belief. But the style is his own. The players think he’s very approachable and that he will understand them.
“Some of them are calling him Mourinho 2.0.”
Amorim has made it clear that he plans to bring the ‘fun’ back to Manchester United.
And there is nothing more ‘fun’ than success. The Ruben Amorim era officially begins this weekend, when United travel to face Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s former assistant Kieran McKenna away at an Ipswich Town side who stunned Tottenham Hotspur on their own soil last time out.
Amorim will have to wait until November 28th to make his Old Trafford debut, however, when United host Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt in their latest Europa League fixture.
“You watch on TV and you know that [Old Trafford] is big and it’s impressive,” Amorim said during his first official interview with Man United’s in-house media channel last week.
“[But] when you are here, you can feel it. And I think you feel the history. I’m really, really proud to be Man United coach, so it’s amazing.
“It’s a real honour to be here.
“I feel very relaxed. Maybe because it’s not gameday!,” adds the former Portugal international, who was involved in a dramatic 3-2 defeat by Sir Alex Ferguson’s Man United when representing Braga at Old Trafford over a decade ago.
“When we have a game, I’m a different guy, but I really don’t feel the weight. I’m really excited and I’m quite relaxed, you know.
“I’m really excited and I’m quite relaxed. I feel I’m where I’m supposed be. That’s the feeling.”
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