Ruben Amorim: United’s Saviour? 

“I’m not naive, I know it’s going to be very different, very difficult,” Ruben Amorim told reporters on the 10th of November after his final game in charge of Portuguese club Sporting. 

The ‘new challenge’ has proven too demanding for six full-time managers since the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013. Manchester United currently sit 13th in the Premier League, picking up just 15 points from 11 games, marking their worst start to a Premier League season since the competition started in 1992.

The club has won one game in four in the Europa League. The once dominant side are in need of a saviour…

Amorim joins United on the back of two monumental victories as manager of Sporting. His former side’s dismantling of Man City 4-1 in the Champions League will be a welcome sign for Man United’s fans. This was followed by a 4-2 comeback win over Braga, after trailing 2-0 at half time, leaving the Portuguese side with a perfect 11 out of 11 wins to start their league campaign. 

There are doubts, however, over whether the 39-year-old’s tactics will translate to Man United’s squad in the face of sterner Premier League opposition. Typically, Amorim plays a 3-4- 3 formation, placing emphasis on the wingbacks to provide width and create chances. Sporting’s first-choice wing backs provided 13 assists and 9 goals in Liga Portugal last season compared to just 5 assists and 2 goals from United’s starters. 

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia, United’s left-footed left-backs, are rarely fit, forcing Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui to fill in, but both fullbacks are right-footed, making their crossing less effective. As a result, they are likely to drift centrally on the pitch, reducing space for the wide forwards who occupy central pockets in Amorim’s system. The exciting winger Alejandro Garnacho could be utilised as a wing back, but United will likely have to find a more defensive-minded solution in the transfer market. 

Amorim has the opportunity to bring Premier League and European glory back to Old Trafford for the first time since 2012 and 2008 respectively. Will his success in Portugal translate to the most competitive league in the world?

The Red Devils will be praying for a miracle. 

Words by Noah Robinson