“I’m thrilled about it because it’s fresh, but then you’re always thrilled for a new manager, aren’t you?” says Siobhan with a grin. She and her sister Shauna are making their way to their usual spots in Old Trafford’s North Stand, their steps light with anticipation. It’s a kind of soon-to-be new head coach bounce, if you will. With Rúben Amorim’s contract now signed, the thoughts and imaginations of Manchester United supporters are firmly focused on the future. A future, everyone hopes, will be considerably brighter than the present.

Amorim’s delayed start – he joins on 11 November – meant that the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday lacked the usual Portuguese flags and T-shirts celebrating the new head coach. There were no clever chants from the Stretford End either. All of that is expected to change soon. Still, it was impossible not to feel the excitement of a fresh start, much like the beginning of a new school year, as fans arrived.

Nearly a week has passed since Erik ten Hag received his P45. But even with that time to reflect, finding a three-pronged plug socket in mainland Europe would be easier than finding anyone in Manchester’s red half willing to argue that the Dutchman’s two and a bit seasons should have continued. “Whatever else is happening at the club, whatever other issues we have, being 14th in the league after a quarter of the season isn’t good enough,” says Jack, a lifelong season-ticket holder. “The decision was inevitable, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t disappointing.”

“I still don’t get what Ten Hag was trying to achieve,” Arun adds. “It’s been miserable coming here – no goals and lots of losses.” “When Erik first arrived, we liked him,” Shauna says quietly. “We still like him, and I don’t think he’s been treated very well. But it seemed like the players had given up.” She and her sister insist that the Old Trafford atmosphere under Ten Hag lacked the toxicity seen in the later stages of David Moyes and Louis van Gaal’s tenures, with Siobhan telling the Guardian that there was “frustration, rather than dislike – all the patience had run out.”

Bobby, another season-ticket holder, says: “I’d give his reign a B- or a C+. There were some incredible moments, but there were big losses, concerns around recruitment, and continual fitness issues for key players – I can’t remember the last time I saw Luke Shaw play.” He also has some sympathy for Jim Ratcliffe’s team, saying: “Ideally, they’d have replaced him after the FA Cup final win, but it would have been a very unpopular move and would have put a lot of pressure on any new manager.”

Last Wednesday night, a Carabao Cup thrashing of Leicester under United’s interim leader Ruud van Nistelrooy lifted the club’s spirits. “Maybe it was relief,” Siobhan says. “But there was a noticeable bounce when you saw the players come out.” There was a visible uplift in Van Nistelrooy on Sunday too, as he dashed around his technical area dressed like a trendy humanities teacher. He is eager to stay on in some capacity but is equally keen to enjoy what is effectively a three-game testimonial.

In a week’s time, though, Van Nistelrooy will hand over a substantial task to Amorim. A decade of overpayment and underperformance, of misinformed missteps, will require some serious undoing. For Arun, the key is that Amorim establishes “some sort of identity, a philosophy that he sticks to,” saying: “This season, for me, is already a write-off. I don’t mind where we finish if we get that identity.”

Bobby, who sees positives in the way United and Sporting have negotiated the terms of Amorim’s job swap, says: “I suspect he’s got a lot of problems to solve, and a lot of fires to fight from day one. The way it’s been handled sensibly shows an element of forethought, which perhaps other appointments haven’t had. That gives me some confidence and hope.” Over the coming months, United will likely dip back into the Sporting coaching staff and team to bolster the squad. So maintaining good relationships and keeping Amorim happy are important.

Amorim, for whatever words are worth in football, has said he will not return to Lisbon for a spot of January poaching, although it is no secret that a group of his backroom staff are expected to join him in Manchester. The king is … well, he never quite achieved royal status, did he? Long live the king. When he arrives.

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