Ruben Amorim has cautioned his Manchester United players that he possesses a ruthless streak and will not hesitate to employ it if they fail to meet his expectations. The Portuguese coach is renowned for his astute man-management skills and innovative tactical acumen, but he is not one to shy away from tough decisions. At 39, Amorim embarks on his journey as the head coach at Ipswich on Sunday, fully cognizant of the challenges that lie ahead as he seeks to revitalize United.
Amorim joined the team when they were languishing in 13th place in the Premier League, having secured only four wins in 11 matches. To realize their ambitions of European qualification for the next season, significant improvements are imperative. "I can be ruthless when necessary," Amorim stated. "If anyone imagines that I will be the nicest guy they've ever encountered, they will soon discover otherwise. I am not the type to flaunt my authority. My approach will be felt in the subtle nuances. I can be the affable one, but when the job demands it, I will transform, and the players understand this."
Amorim is prepared to take risks to alter the team's tactics and style, albeit with limited training time due to United's packed schedule. The team will face two games per week for the foreseeable future, juggling domestic and European commitments. Amorim's first taste of Old Trafford will come on Thursday when Bodø/Glimt visit for a Europa League match.
"It's far more challenging to join a team mid-season," Amorim acknowledged. "You must assess the players during matches, with no national team breaks to work with them—it's just a relentless series of games. Winning makes the frequent matches enjoyable, as you attempt tactical adjustments and secure victories. However, if you're losing, you lack the training time to implement all you wish to work on."
Amorim's predecessor, Erik ten Hag, secured a trophy in each of his two full seasons, but the fact that United has not won the league title since 2013 casts a long shadow over Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson remains the most recent United manager to lift the trophy, having done so 13 times, making him the club's most successful manager.
"It's difficult to emulate someone, so I must be myself," Amorim said when queried about seeking Ferguson's counsel. "I am not the best person to recount Manchester United's history. The club should take the lead, and I will also contribute by focusing on these details and ensuring our players understand the club's history, though not the recent past."
"You must be extremely demanding. This is a club that must win—we must convey this to our players. It's a different era; I cannot be the same person Sir Alex Ferguson was. I must adopt a different approach but remain demanding in that new approach. That is my focus."
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