Even the most optimistic Manchester United supporters will have reservations about expecting too much too soon under Ruben Amorim.
Gary Neville feels that a Champions League charge remains possible. There are, after all, only four points separating Manchester United in 13th from Chelsea in third during this most bizarre of seasons.
It will take some time, however, for Ruben Amorim’s ideas to really click. He inherits a team who’s confidence hit rock bottom under Erik ten Hag, after all, and who have spent the last two years scrambling around for any semblance of an identity.
But if there is one thing the Man United supporters can expect as soon as kick off arrives at Portman Road this weekend, it’s that the 39-year-old’s fingerprints will be clear to see right from the off.
And that does not merely refer to Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system, the former Sporting boss introducing the wing-back formation to Man United’s stars on the training pitch this week.
Ruben Amorim instilling ideas upon Manchester United already
Amorim’s success in the Portuguese capital is not merely down to the positions his players take up on the pitch.
It is not merely about formations but the principles underlying them.
As he has already explained, Amorim’s non-negotiables involve playing without fear and controlling the ball. Sporting’s 4-1 Champions League obliteration of Manchester City, meanwhile, demonstrated a trademark ferocity in and out of possession.
That, in addition to Sporting’s willingness to fight for every ball and back up their teammates when necessary, plus an iron-clad resilience required to avoid drowning in City’s early tide.
According to Sky Sports, Amorim’s first few days on the Carrington training pitch have seen Erik ten Hag’s replacement place an emphasis on ‘intensity’.
That, fittingly, is the word Amorim has reportedly used when telling Man United’s bosses what sort of players that must be prioritised in the transfer market too.
Sky add that the former Portugal international – Amorim has ‘blown away’ the Man United squad with his self-assured confidence – is also looking to instil an aggressive, high-pressing style revolving around winning back possession as early as possible.
Ruben Amorim wants to fix Erik ten Hag’s biggest problem
One of the greatest frustrations of the Ten Hag era, meanwhile, was how frequently Man United would throw away leads.
Remarkably, Ten Hag’s United conceded a winning goal past the 90-minute mark on six occasions. Between 1992 and 2022, that only happened twice.
‘Fergie Time’ in reverse.
And this does not even account the multitude of unavoidable draws. See Brentford – Kristoffer Ajer scoring a 99th minute equaliser in West London – or United’s stunning collapse against second-tier Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Sky add that Amorim is determined to ‘eradicate the capitulations’ which became an unfortunate trademark of Ten Hag’s Man United side.
It feels appropriate, really, that the Ten Hag era really started to unravel when Joao Pedro headed home five minutes into time added on, Brighton maintaining their outstanding record against United back in August.
“I’m disappointed because we should have taken at least a draw,” Ten Hag bemoaned at full-time, a familiar response to an oh-so familiar result. “We could have won as well but, in the end, you have no points.
“And that is disappointing because it could have been very different.”
With the Manchester United supporters counting down the days until Amorim takes charge for the first time away at Ipswich Town this weekend, a bold new era can hardly come soon enough.
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