Ruben Amorim will be expecting more from Manchester United’s sub-par squad when taking over from Erik ten Hag – who baffled his players before being sacked.
With the T’s crossed and I’s dotted, former Sporting CP boss Amorim will touch down in Manchester on November 11, having completed a deal that should keep him at the club until 2027.
It is widely considered he’ll have a monumental job on his hands to turn around the Red Devils’ current sub-par group – who the 39-year-old has reportedly already decided are not up to scratch and require improvement.
The man he’ll supplant, Ten Hag, supposedly confused the Red Devils cohort with his tactical decisions before being shown the exit door at Old Trafford, but with a stylistic overhaul incoming, Amorim will be looking to get the best out of some big names and even bigger price tags.
According to The Independent, Amorim revealed his plans to the club amid negotiations, admitting that he would be expecting a lot more from some of his new players.
A complete change in formation – to the Portuguese coach’s preferred back three – will also take some getting used to, but it is believed that stars like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho will be critical pieces of his forward line.
This, though daunting, may be a welcome relief for some of the squad, who, according to the same report, ‘stopped listening’ to former boss Ten Hag as his tenure dwindled.
The Dutchman supposedly lost a lot of the team to some confusing decisions, and, with chemistry amongst the players at a stark low, many felt ‘relieved’ to see the back of the 54-year-old.
As much as the players will be looking forward to a new challenge, the club themselves also seem relatively enamoured by their new coach, and, having confirmed his appointment on Friday, released the following statement: "Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Ruben Amorim as Head Coach of the men’s first team, subject to work visa requirements.
"Ruben is one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football. Highly decorated as both a player and coach, his titles include winning the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting CP, the first of which was the club’s first title in 19 years. Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue to take charge of the team until Ruben joins."
Van Nistelrooy will remain in charge for the club’s following three clashes: the hosting of Chelsea this weekend, a visit from PAOK in the Europa League and Leicester at home.
Amorim, on the other hand, has three ties to go, including games against Estrela and Braga domestically and an intriguing tie against Manchester City in the Champions League - where his skills will be put to the ultimate test before he arrives in the Premier League.