Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim with staff during a training session. — Reuters

Former Manchester United defender John O'Shea has expressed his support for new coach Ruben Amorim, while cautioning that the Portuguese coach must swiftly convey his strategies to reverse the club's current form, which has seen only two wins in five matches across all competitions. The 39-year-old Amorim, who took over from Erik ten Hag last month, has already lifted spirits at Old Trafford with his charismatic presence. However, O'Shea, who played for United between 1999 and 2011, emphasized that the players need to be fully convinced of the manager's abilities.

"In terms of personality, I really like (Amorim)," O'Shea told a small group of reporters recently. "But it can't be just about that. You won't succeed by merely being good at media interactions. You must earn the respect of the players when you explain your approach to facing a certain team, why you're doing something today, or why it was done last week but not this week." O'Shea stressed the importance of balancing these approaches and regaining the team's belief, especially when making frequent changes due to fitness issues.

"You're hoping that certain players step up quickly and deliver. That's what's needed, especially," O'Shea added, speaking in his role as ambassador for the club's 'United We Play' initiative. With recent losses to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, United will aim to bounce back on Thursday when they face Czech team Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League.

The 43-year-old O'Shea, who won five Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy with United, believes that Amorim, a former Sporting coach, will be eager to start shaping his squad according to his vision as early as the January transfer window. "That freshness and energy the manager wants in his team, reflecting how he wants to play, is crucial," O'Shea said. "The players must respond quickly to the new energy from his staff, especially with the hectic schedule in December. I'm sure Ruben is already considering the January transfer window, even if he's not openly discussing it, and the club will be doing everything they can to support him in adjusting to the system he wants to implement."

Source link:   https://www.khaleejtimes.com