Manchester United have granted Ruben Amorim’s personal request to be reunited with former trusted ally Acacio Valentim, who has now reportedly started work at the club.
Amorim endured a tough 2024/25 campaign, having joined United from Sporting Lisbon in November as Erik ten Hag’s replacement.
There was hope that he’d turn things around at Old Trafford but things arguably got much worse, as United slipped to a 15th-placed finish and suffered a 1-0 loss at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, missing out on the chance to qualify for the Champions League.
On the final day of the Premier League season, Amorim promised supporters that the worst is already behind, with the club’s future looking more promising.
Amorim requested his bosses to bring in Valentim
Seemingly eager to ensure that United improve next term, it emerged that Amorim requested United chiefs to add his former trusted ally Acacio Valentim to his staff, as part of his backroom restructure.
The 49-year-old previously worked alongside his countryman as a coach at former club Braga.
It was stated that talks were underway over a move to the UK for Valentim, who was a free agent after parting ways with Braga earlier this summer.
Now, an update has been issued, indicating that Valentim’s appointment was finalised and he has actually already started working at United.
Valentim has already assumed his role at United
Journalist Pedro Morais wrote on X, “Acácio Valentim is the new team operations manager for Manchester United.”
“The Portuguese executive has been in the role since July 1, responsible for handling internal organisation and logistics related to the squad.”
“[He] is in direct contact with Ruben Amorim.”
Acácio Valentim é o novo gestor de operações de equipa do Manchester United. O dirigente português já está em funções desde 1 de julho, com a responsabilidade de tratar da organização interna e da a logística ligada ao plantel, em contacto direto com Rúben Amorim✅
Com @NBarbosa https://t.co/oyJdBlwePA— Pedro Morais (@PedroGMorais) July 8, 2025
Meanwhile, a number of United players returned to Carrington on Monday for pre-season training ahead of the upcoming tour.
The likes of Amad, Mason Mount, Tom Heaton, Noussair Mazraoui, Matheus Cunha, Diego Leon and others were all present. However, Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes did not report back as they were given extended leave following the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
