Ruben Amorim could take an all-important page out of the playbook of iconic former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson during his time at Old Trafford.
The 39-year-old Portuguese manager has become the latest Manchester United head coach to enter the Old Trafford hot seat in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Erik ten Hag was sacked as United manager last October and Ruud van Nistelrooy steered the ship as Red Devils interim boss ahead of Amorim’s arrival last November.
Amorim became the sixth permanent manager at United after Ferguson’s retirement, with the Red Devils head coach inking a deal until June 2027 with the club.
United triggered the £9.25m release clause in Amorim’s Sporting CP deal in 2024 and the Portuguese now faces an uphill task at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have struggled to climb back to the top of English football after Ferguson bowed out of United as a manager in 2013.
United last won the Premier League under Ferguson in the 2012-13 campaign and now seem further away from mounting a challenge for the trophy in the short term.
Ferguson’s early troubles at Man Utd
Sir Alex Ferguson, who is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time, led Manchester United to all 13 of their Premier League titles during his reign.
However, even the 83-year-old former United manager had a tough start to life at Old Trafford after he left Aberdeen and replaced Ron Atkinson in 1986.
Ferguson was famously believed to be on the chopping block at United before Mark Robins scored the winner against Nottingham Forest in a third-round FA Cup tie.
It’s suggested that Mark Robins’ crucial strike saved Ferguson from getting the sack in 1990, with United going on to win the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace.
Speaking to Tribal Football, Gary Pallister recalled the fierce pressure that Aberdeen and United legend Ferguson had to initially weather at Old Trafford.
“I remember that sign at Old Trafford, saying ‘[three] years of excuses and still c**p,’ it’s not good seeing that from your own supporters so I’m sure he must have felt the pressure at the time,” he said.
“But he’s been through a lot as a manager and a player. So, it didn’t actually shine through, he kept that away from the players.”
Amorim could learn from Ferguson’s mentality
Gary Pallister was a key defensive figure for Ferguson and enjoyed incredible success at Old Trafford, including lifting four Premier League titles.
The 59-year-old former United defender revealed Ferguson maintained an ‘us-against-the-world’ mentality, something which could be adopted by Amorim.
“He had that bunker mentality of, ‘everybody hates us, but we don’t care,’” Pallister continued.
“He would take a lot of the pressure off the players and put it onto himself, which was a great thing to do from him.
“But you learn a lot from adversity, don’t you? It tells you more about your character and Fergie certainly never took a backward step.”
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