MANCHESTER UNITED fans have been left worried after Ruben Amorim’s latest comments.
The incoming Red Devils boss won his final home game in charge of Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.
Ruben Amorim’s Sporting Lisbon impressed in their 4-1 win over Manchester CityReuters
AlamyErik ten Hag often claimed that Manchester United could not play like his Ajax side[/caption]
The Portuguese side outclassed Manchester City in Lisbon as they romped to a 4-1 victory.
A hat-trick from Viktor Gyokeres and a strike from Maximiliano Araujo saw the hosts bounce back from an early Phil Foden goal.
The result buoyed Manchester United supporters who are increasingly excited over Amorim’s arrival.
However, the manager warned fans not to expect the same style of football at Old Trafford.
He said: “What I can tell you is that this doesn’t mean anything in particular – don’t take anything from this.
“We cannot transport one reality to another.
“Manchester United cannot play the way we play, and we will have to adapt.”
Amorim’s comments mirrored those of Erik ten Hag during his time in charge of the club.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
The Dutchman was hailed for his style while he was leading Ajax, which saw the club reach a Champions League semi-final.
And fans flocked to social media to beg Amorim not to fall into the same trap as his predecessor.
Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man Utd
WHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.
Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.
But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.
Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.
He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers.
The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.
And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.
Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.
Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.
United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”
And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.
For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for.
One posted: “Bro no please not you as well.”
A second wrote: “Erik said this and got cooked for it.”
A third commented: “Oh no. Please don’t be like Erik.”
A fourth said: “Jesus Christ not again.”
A fifth declared: “Please not again… dealt with three years of Ten Hag ‘We cannot play this way’.”
Another added: “That’s what Ten Hag said about Ajax.”
In 2023, Ten Hag admitted that Man United would never play the same style as his Ajax side.
He said: “Never. We will never play that football. Because those were different players.
“This is also not why I came here. We are playing different football than I showed at Ajax because I have to, because I can’t play the same way.”
The home crowd unveiled a banner to commemorate Amorim and the two league titles he won in Lisbon before kick-off.
After the victory over City, Amorim was given a guard of honour by his players and staff.
What Man Utd said on hiring EACH of their post-Fergie managers
David Moyes
“All the skills needed to build on United’s phenomenal legacy.”
Louis van Gaal
“One of the outstanding managers in the game today.”
Jose Mourinho
“Quite simply the best manager in the game today.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
“A wealth of experience, with a desire to give young players their chance and a deep understanding of the culture of the club.”
Erik ten Hag
“One of the most exciting and successful coaches in Europe.”
Ruben Amorim
“One of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football.”
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
