3 hours ago
New Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim held his debut press conference at Carrington, offering insights into his plans for the club ahead of his first match against Ipswich Town. The Portuguese coach shared his thoughts on the team, recruitment, and his vision for restoring the club to glory. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what he said:
Amorim expressed awe at the scale of the club compared to his previous role at Sporting CP:
"Yeah, it is bigger. There are a lot of departments, so much different to Sporting and Sporting is a big club in Portugal. This is a global club, so you have so much to do. It is not just coaching the team. I have a lot of help, a lot of meetings, and I am improving in those areas. I feel very happy, very comfortable, and I feel at home."
When asked about the challenge of bringing Manchester United back to Premier League-winning form, Amorim shared his confidence:
"I am a little bit of a dreamer and I believe in myself. I also believe in the club as we have the same idea, the same mindset, so that can help. But I truly believe in the players also. I know that you guys don’t believe a lot in these players, but I believe a lot. I think we have room to improve. I want to try new things, and you guys think it is not possible; I think it is possible, and we will see in the end."
Amorim acknowledged the need for improvement but emphasized focusing on small, actionable changes:
"I think we have to improve in a lot of areas and in the understanding of the game. I know it is a different way of playing, and we are changing in the middle of the season. I think we have to improve the physical aspect of the team. I do not know how long it will take. I know when you are in Manchester United, you have to win games, and I will not tell you that I need a lot of time."
Amorim clarified his tactical approach, describing it as a change rather than a dramatic overhaul:
"It is not a revolution because football is not so different with five players in the back, three players in the back, or four players in the back. I cannot say evolution because we have to wait and see, but we will play a different type of football. It is not evolution or revolution; it is a change in the way we play football."
Reflecting on his interactions with Mourinho during an internship at United, Amorim said:
"He sent me a message and told me that it is a lovely club, a big club, with lovely people—and that is correct. I was learning at the time, and I hope to now teach something here to my players. Mourinho showed us in Portugal that we can be the best in the world. I am different from him, but his era inspires me to bring my style to the club."
Amorim highlighted ball retention and defensive transitions as areas for immediate improvement:
"In simple things. I think we lose the ball too often, and we have to keep the ball better. We have to be better when we run back. We have to be very good in the details. Sometimes, we hope to change big things, but I think it’s the small things in football. Play as a team, understand the game—that’s the focus."
Amorim underscored the importance of collaborative recruitment but emphasized his role as head coach:
"It has to be all together. If a coach comes here and chooses players alone, it could go wrong. This is a football club that will be here for a long time, so recruitment needs strong processes. I think the final word should be with the manager, not because it’s your right but because it’s your responsibility. In the end, they ask the manager about results."
Amorim acknowledged the difficulty of the role but remained optimistic:
"Every coach that comes here needs time but must also acknowledge that we need to win games. I don’t have an answer for why past managers didn’t succeed. We have different types of coaches with similar results. I will try to play our way, in my way, and try to win."
Ruben Amorim’s first press conference showcased a blend of confidence, humility, and determination. While he acknowledged the challenges of managing a club of Manchester United’s magnitude, he also expressed a clear belief in his players and his philosophy. As he prepares for his first game, fans will be eager to see how his words translate into action on the pitch.
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