Rio Ferdinand has dropped his early verdict on Sporting CP head coach Ruben Amorim ahead of the Portuguese manager’s arrival at Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim is considered one of the fastest-rising managers in Europe and has been widely praised for his work at Portuguese outfit Sporting CP.
During his reign at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, Amorim has lifted two Primeira Liga titles and two Portuguese League Cups as Sporting CP manager.
The 39-year-old Sporting CP boss will now become Manchester United manager after agreeing to succeed Erik ten Hag, who was sacked from the club last week.
United have agreed to pay Sporting CP a £9.25m release clause fee to sign Amorim and the soon-to-be Red Devils boss has inked a deal until June 2027.
Amorim will begin his Old Trafford tenure on 11th November and will take charge of his first United match against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on 24th November.
Ferdinand on Amorim and Man Utd
Incoming Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim signed off his Champions League campaign with Sporting CP on a high note on Tuesday evening in Lisbon.
Sporting CP came from behind at the Estadio Jose Alvalade and Amorim’s men sealed a sensational 4-1 win over Manchester City in the Champions League.
Speaking on TNT Sports, United legend Rio Ferdinand admitted that “only time will tell” if Amorim will be a major success at the Premier League club.
However, the 45-year-old footballer-turned-pundit is keen to see Amorim implement an identity on United in the same way as he has done with Sporting CP.
“I think only time will tell,” Ferdinand said.
“I’ve been known to get quite excited by new managers every now and again, so I’m not going to go overboard, but I’m liking what I’m seeing.
“We’ve been calling out for Man United to have an identity, a way of playing that we can look at, and consistently we see it.
“When you look at this Sporting team over the last few years since he’s been there, they have a consistent team and way of playing.
“He seems to be able to deliver a particular style of football on a consistent basis and I think that’s a starting point for Man United.
“If we see that being churned out week in, week out, it would be a huge improvement.”
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s reign nears its end
Erik ten Hag’s sacking at United led to Red Devils legend Ruud van Nistelrooy taking over as interim manager ahead of Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, who was assistant manager under Ten Hag, oversaw a 5-2 win over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup before picking up a 1-1 draw against Chelsea.
The 48-year-old Dutchman will lead the Red Devils in Thursday’s Europa League clash against PAOK and Premier League match against Leicester City on Sunday.
Van Nistelrooy’s reign at United will come to an end after Sunday’s Premier League match ahead of the start of the November international break.
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