5 Things We Learned from Ruben Amorim's First Training Session at Manchester United
Newly appointed head coach Ruben Amorim took charge of his first training session at Carrington, signaling the start of a new chapter for Manchester United. Here are five key takeaways from his inaugural day with the team:
1. Clear Communication and High Standards
Amorim’s ability to communicate effectively was immediately apparent. His flawless English, showcased in his introductory press conferences, extended seamlessly to the training pitch. During drills, Amorim was vocal and precise, urging players to maintain intensity and discipline.
In one notable moment, Amorim shouted "come on" while checking his watch, dissatisfied with how quickly players reset for a drill. This hands-on approach demonstrates his demand for urgency and focus, setting the tone for his coaching style.
2. Active and Involved Coaching
Unlike Sir Alex Ferguson’s managerial approach of delegating training sessions, Amorim is fully immersed in the coaching process. As United’s first-ever officially titled "head coach," he leads the sessions himself, ensuring his tactical philosophy is directly imparted to the squad.
While his assistants focus on specific areas and smaller groups, Amorim is central to all activities, emphasizing his role as the driving force behind the team’s development.
3. Boost from Returning Players
The training session welcomed the return of Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw, and Tyrell Malacia, all of whom have been sidelined by injuries.
Leny Yoro: The summer signing from Lille, who sustained a foot injury in pre-season, is finally integrating with the squad.
Luke Shaw: Absent from club football since February, Shaw’s return is a significant boost for United’s defensive options.
Tyrell Malacia: Having not played since May 2023, Malacia’s involvement signals progress in his recovery.
These returning players could feature soon after the international break, providing much-needed depth and quality.
4. Formation Experimentation: The Back Three
Amorim’s preference for a 3-4-3 system, which brought him success at Sporting CP, appears to be taking shape at United. A training match during the session featured a back-three setup:
Right Centre-Back: Leny Yoro
Central Centre-Back: Jonny Evans
Left Centre-Back: Luke Shaw
This approach offers flexibility and maximizes players' strengths, such as Shaw’s ability to play as a left-sided centre-back, a role he recently excelled in for England. The back-three system could be a significant tactical shift from the more traditional formations United have employed in recent years.
5. Commitment to Playing Out from the Back
Amorim intends to continue United’s evolution toward building play from the back, a style Erik ten Hag began implementing. With goalkeeper Andre Onana known for his distribution skills, Amorim is keen to maintain this approach.
A specific training drill highlighted this philosophy: players practiced starting attacks from goal-kicks with short passes inside the six-yard box. This reinforces the emphasis on maintaining possession and building structured attacks, a hallmark of Amorim’s coaching style.
Summary
Amorim’s first session demonstrated his proactive coaching style, tactical vision, and emphasis on communication. By integrating key injured players, experimenting with formations, and refining playing styles, Amorim is setting the foundation for a reenergized Manchester United squad. The coming weeks will reveal how these changes translate into performances on the pitch.
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