Ahead of Ruben Amorim’s first game in the Manchester United dugout, plenty of pre-match column inches have been dedicated to discussing tactics, formations and the minutiae of his gameplan.
But the man himself insists that, without Manchester United’s squad buying into the two basic principles which underpin Ruben Amorim’s entire philosophy, the sleeping giants of European football will continue to doze away in mid-table.
Amorim spoke to the media during his first official press conference as Man United’s new boss on Friday afternoon.
And, while previewing Sunday’s trip to Ipswich Town, the former Sporting coach highlighted the two non-negotiables that every United player must embrace as he looks to become the first manager in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era to enjoy sustained success in the Old Trafford hotseat.
Ruben Amorim sets demand for Manchester United squad
“When I start this week, you can say it’s just one week and three training sessions, but [the players] are open to different things,” Amorim smiles.
“The only thing I ask of them is hard work and that you have to believe in the ideas.”
The sacking of Erik ten Hag and the subsequent arrival of Ruben Amorim will see different challenges put to a talented but underperforming United squad.
The likes of Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford may have to adapt to new roles in a new-look 3-4-2-1 formation, while Amorim is placing emphasis on improving United’s intensity and their physicality.
The two-time Primeira Liga champion would not be drawn on his team selection for this weekend’s trip to Portman Road. Amorim should have Leny Yoro available to make his belated Man United debut, however, while Kobbie Mainoo is in line to return following an injury lay-off of his own.
Amorim has taken to giving Mainoo a few lessons on how best to receive the ball and create angles for passes, meanwhile, with one former playmaker hoping to help a footballer with many familiar attributes fulfil his vast potential.
“I have a great responsibility when we choose players because I am the manager. I am the head coach. I have to choose the players,” Amorim adds.
“You have to believe, and I believe in them.”
Amorim hoping to raise confidence after Erik ten Hag sacking
One of the greatest challenges facing Amorim, meanwhile, will be to instil some confidence in a Man United team who’s self-belief appeared to hit rock bottom prior to Ten Hag’s overdue sacking.
“That’s for sure,” Amorim adds when asked if there had been a loss of confidence amongst the dressing room in recent months. “But it’s normal when players don’t win games. You start to be suspicious of the way of playing.
“You can understand, when they walk to the game or in the warm up, you can understand if they are confident or not.
“I think I have to help them, but they are ready to cope with the demands of games in the Premier League. You see, sometimes they have a bad first half and then in the second half they will change.
“So they have to find that mindset.”
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