Amorim gives huge hint about the type of football he wants to implement at United, fans will be thrilled

November 6, 2024

Ruben Amorim has suggested he intends to adopt a more attacking approach at Manchester United, shifting away from the defensively-oriented tactics he has heavily favoured during his time at Sporting Lisbon.

Under Amorim, Sporting have enjoyed a lot of success, with the manager often demonstrating a clear preference for a 3-4-3 formation that emphasises a compact and defensively solid team structure.

Indeed, this was on full display on Tuesday night as the Liga Portugal outfit put Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City to the sword in a 4-1 victory at Estádio José Alvalade.

Phil Foden gave City an early lead by the Lions rallied back and eventually clinched all three points, courtesy of a hat trick by Viktor Gyokeres and a Maximiliano Araújo strike.

Amorim is set to officially take charge of United on November 11, with his first match being the meeting at Portman Road against Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town two weeks later.

After the final whistle vs. City, Amorim spoke to the Brazilian version of TNT Sports and admitted that there is a bigger obligation to play attacking football at United as compared to Sporting.

The 39-year-old remarked, “No, I think, as I said, the result is deceiving. We are a team outside of the big five, and we are allowed to play like this. Defensively, waiting for the counter-attack.”

“When you go to Manchester United, whether it takes a while or not, you have to face these teams, and it’s a completely different story. And so that’s the work we want to do there, which is not defending all the time.”

He added, “Manchester United have to face these clubs (head-on), and so it’s going to be a completely different story. There will be rivalry, I’m not one for big conflicts, I’m defending the team to the maximum, but let’s see what happens.”

TNT informed Amorim that Matheus Reis – who joined SPorting in 2021 – told them earlier that his relationship with the manager played a crucial role in his development as a player.

Replying to this, Amorim remarked, “I have full knowledge that I’m neither close nor far from the best, technically or tactically. I think that’s my great calling, let’s say. I like to help my players, I was a player, I went through a lot, and I treat them as human beings first and then we go to the rest, football is the rest.”

“And so I’m much happier with this compliment than anything like inventing football and new techniques and tactics, and so I’m really very flattered by Reis’ words.”

United return to Europa League action on Thursday when they host PAOK FC.

Featured image Octavio Passos via Getty Images

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!

Man Utd ‘willing’ to offer ‘elite’ star £240k p/w to ‘steal dream signing’ for Amorim from Euro giants

November 6, 2024

According to reports, Manchester United are ‘determined’ to beat Real Madrid in the race to sign Alphonso Davies from Bayern Munich.

Davies has entered the final year of his contract at Bayern Munich and he’s expected to leave the Bundesliga leaders in 2025.

The Canada international has been heavily linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid in recent months but Man Utd are also being mooted as a possible destination.

If the Red Devils add to their squad in January, they will likely prioritise the signing of a new left-back.

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are yet to make an appearance this season as versatile defenders Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have filled in at left-back.

39-year-old Ruben Amorim has been appointed to replace Erik ten Hag, who was sacked following last month’s disappointing 2-1 loss at West Ham.

Amorim is expected to implement a 3-4-3 system at Man Utd and attacking full-back Davies would fit into this formation as a left wing-back.

READ: Ruben Amorim and the three-letter word that should excite Man Utd fans

A report in Spain claims Real Madrid are the ‘favourites’ to sign Davies, but Man Utd ‘want to steal’ him from the European giants.

United are said to be ‘determined’ to land Davies and their ‘growing interest could change’ Real Madrid’s chances of winning the race to sign him.

Davies is described as a ‘dream signing’ for Man Utd and they are reportedly ‘willing’ to offer the ‘elite player’ a huge deal.

‘Alphonso Davies, 24, is one of the most coveted players on the European market, and his contract with Bayern Munich ends in 2025, which opens the possibility of a pre-contractual agreement from January 2024.

‘United, aware of this window of opportunity, would be willing to meet the player’s wage demands, which are around £240,000 a week, a high figure but in line with his performance and market potential.’

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‘The Red Devils’ need for a top-class left-back has become more urgent with both Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia struggling with injury and form issues.

‘For its part, Real Madrid continue to consider the Canadian as a priority to strengthen its defence. Although the Merengue club has been cautious on salary issues, it does not rule out competing for Davies, who could fit perfectly into its strategy of squad renewal.

‘Both United and Madrid would be willing to make a considerable effort to secure his signing and enjoy his best years.’

Amorim officially joins Man Utd on November 11. His penultimate game in charge of Sporting Lisbon occurred on Tuesday night as his side beat Manchester City 4-1.

Speaking post-match, Amorim admitted Man Utd will not be able to “play the same way” as Sporting Lisbon.

“We will have to adapt. This does not mean anything specifically and it is misleading. We will not be able to transport one reality to another,” he said.

“United cannot play the way we play, they cannot be so defensive. We will have to adapt. Of course it’s good to beat City. But I’ll be living in a different world in Manchester, we’ll have to start from a different point.

“This was a one-off and we had luck on our side. I will take this to the Premier League, but it will be different in Manchester. It will be fun and I am ready for the challenge.”

“It kills me to say it”: Club legend fires crucial warning to Amorim over “average” United squad

November 6, 2024

Manchester United legend Nicky Butt has warned incoming boss Ruben Amorim that he is set to inherit a squad of “average” players who only look out for themselves as opposed to the team’s interest.

Butt also cautioned the current squad that their jobs are at risk once Amorim arrives, amidst a need to foster a competitive culture whereby no one is assured of a starting spot during games.

Amorim is set to officially take charge of United on November 11, after Sporting Lisbon’s meeting at Braga.

On Tuesday night, the Portuguese tactician gave the Red Devils supporters a glimpse of what he can bring to Old Trafford, as he masterminded a ruthless 4-1 victory over Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Champions League.

Sporting came from a goal down to put City to the sword and run out winners at Estádio José Alvalade.

Butt, who certainly knows one or two things about the high demands at a club of the sheer size and history of United, spoke to talkSPORT and admitted that Amorim must change the culture there if he is to be successful where so many other managers before him have failed.

The six-time Premier League winner noted that some United players have become way too comfortable and don’t see their places in the team as being under threat.

Butt said, “I think regardless of the decade we’re in at Man United, every player should be under the impression that someone can come and take your place at any time. I think that’s what big football clubs are like no matter who you are.”

“There’s maybe like two or three players every generation that know they’re okay, like Roy Keane and Eric Cantona. But the rest of the players in a squad like Man United must always be looking over their shoulder thinking at any one point there’s a young lad coming through or the manager’s going to go and buy a world star.”

“We have to get back to that at Man United. Everyone should be nervous about what’s going to happen over the next nine to 12 months. Every single one of Man United’s players aren’t playing to the level they should be.”

Butt added, “It kills me to say it. I’ve been a Manchester United fan since the age of six. You’ll say that Bruno’s [Fernandes] a fantastic player, which he is, he’s a top talent.”

The 49-year-old insisted that most of the United players are not performing at the highest level and arguably none of them get into the Team of the Year.

When asked what is waiting for Amorim upon his arrival at the club next week, Butt remarked, “An average squad if I’m honest. A team of individuals that seem to play for themselves. I watched the game on Sunday (against Chelsea). I would never say people don’t work hard and don’t run but I think they do it on their own back.”

He opined that United don’t play as a unit and that’s a big concern.

Ruud van Nistelrooy and his stars return to Europa League action on Thursday when they host Greek outfit PAOK FC.

Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

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!

Man Utd deliver ‘crushing January blow’ to Ruben Amorim after £37.5m reveal

November 6, 2024

Man Utd are unlikely to be able to give Ruben Amorim any new signings in the January transfer window, according to reports.

The Red Devils sacked Erik ten Hag last week before replacing him with Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim, who will officially join on November 11.

Man Utd have turned to the Sporting Lisbon boss as they attempt to turn a corner under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’ guidance.

INEOS decided to stick with Ten Hag over the summer but recent results and performances saw them sack the Dutchman with Man Utd currently 13th in the Premier League table.

Man Utd have struggled to find a manager since Sir Alex Ferguson who can get them challenging for the Premier League title with Jose Mourinho guiding them to second place in 2018 – but they were still 19 points behind champions Man City.

And Man Utd supporters will be hoping they can gradually start to put in performances that make them look capable of challenging for the Premier League title again in the near future.

The Red Devils spent around £200m on improving the squad for Ten Hag in the summer transfer window and that could mean that there is little left to give Amorim in the January market.

Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson claims that Man Utd will have spent around £37.5m to swap Ten Hag for Amorim over the last week.

Speaking last week, he told Football Insider: “This is almost something United have had to deal with every three years since Sir Alex Ferguson left.

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“It is quite important this time around because we know that they were close to the PSR limit last season. I think they probably passed quite narrowly, so we therefore know what the starting point was for this season.

“The bottom line is, if you add likely to be an exceptional cost of about £35million, maybe £37.5million in total, clearly that’s going to cut dramatically any buffer that they have got for PSR this season, especially if the side remains down the table.

“We know that the Premier League payments per position that you get is about £3million. At the moment, those two things are playing against them in terms of their forecast for 2024-25 PSR. But of course, they have got plenty of time.”

And now Football Insider claims that Man Utd have dealt a ‘crushing January blow’ to Amorim as Borson reveals that

“Their ability to keep having other costs going against them is pretty limited for this season now,” Borson told Football Insider.

“They will have to consider what they can do in January. I think it’s going to be very difficult for them to make signings in January without selling first.

“We know that the costs in January because of the way the amortisation works, you would only have half of one year of the costs of a player transfer, so it’s not impossible that you also then have some substantial wages for that half-year as well in the 2025 accounts.

“I think they have got pretty limited leeway now for the rest of the year. They are going to have to try and get up that table and qualify for the latter stages of the Europa League.”

Man United duo enter exciting off-the-field business venture with raft of sporting stars

November 6, 2024

Manchester United’s awful start to the season has led to a change in dug out with underperforming players continuing to struggle at Old Trafford.

Danish duo Christian Eriksen and Rasmus Hojlund are two of a small number of first team stars who can say they have pulled their weight this campaign and the pair are now joining forces off the pitch.

As reported by Danish media, both players are now part of the ownership group behind the energy drink, State.

The drink was launched in 2015 by two Danish football friends, Jon Andersen and Kim Have and now has the backing of more national sporting superstars.

Tennis legend Caroline Wozniacki joined Eriksen as part of the ownership group with Hojlund the latest native to back the product.

United’s number nine has purchased a significant number of ownership shares as well as agreeing a sponsorship deal with the company.

The 21-year-old released a short statement on his decision to join the group.

“I have used State’s energy drinks for many years, and there is simply nothing that can compare to it. To be able to step in as co-owner and become part of the company together with both Christian and Caroline, whom I have looked up to throughout my career, is a great honour,” it read.

The pair will be hoping for a fruitful venture with the drinks brand to align with an upturn in fortunes on the pitch at Old Trafford.

In fairness to Eriksen in particular, he has outperformed his expected level at the start of the season but the fact United are still relying on him to pull the strings in midfield is a damning indictment on the rest of the squad.

Hojlund has once more struggled for fitness but looks to be finding some consistency in terms of game time in recent weeks and remains United’s best option at the point of attack.

They will both be vying for starting spot in Ruud van Nistelrooy’s penultimate game in interim charge at Old Trafford with PAOK visiting Old Trafford on Thursday night in the Europa League.

Conner Botterill

Conner Botterill has been with The Peoples Person for two years. A keen match-going red with degrees in Sport and Journalism and Philosophy and Psychology, Conner still believes he has a chance of making United’s first team through his 5-a-side career.

United planning to “make moves in January” with two key targets identified – Sky Sports Germany

November 6, 2024

Manchester United are planning to “make moves” in the January transfer window with a striker and central midfielder on the club’s wish list.

Florian Plettenberg (Sky Sports) reveals on X the Red Devils will look to be active in the winter market with a focus on an “affordable striker” amidst the club’s ongoing issues in front of goal.

“Manchester United plan to make moves in the winter transfer market. Understand that the Red Devils are looking for an affordable striker.

“MUFC are also in search of a number eight, a central midfielder. Leon #Goretzka’s situation is still being closely monitored. However, as of now, the 29y/o still has no plans to leave Bayern in winter.”

United are currently languished in 13th place in the Premier League with a goal difference of minus three. Only Crystal Palace and Southampton, 17th and 19th place respectively, have scored fewer goals.

United are underperforming their xG (expected goals) by 8.81, comfortably the worst rate in the division.

This means the team are creating chances but simply failing to take them – a reflection of an underperforming forward line devoid of any sense of clinical finishing. As such, Plettenberg’s update that Old Trafford officials are prioritising a new striker in January makes perfect sense.

The two targets most strongly linked to United are Sporting’s Victor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko; neither would fall into the category of “affordable” though.

The Sky Sports Germany reporter also contends the club are also in “search of a number eight, a central midfielder”, naming Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka as a player being “closely monitored.”

United’s midfield unit has struggled this season with Christian Eriksen emerging as the team’s most consistent performer, despite many having written off the Dane’s career at Old Trafford after rarely featuring last season.

New signing Manuel Ugarte is yet to justify the club’s protracted pursuit of the Uruguayan international over the summer, while the performances of Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo show their ages (in opposite directions).

A new midfielder would therefore be a welcome addition in January, though Plettenberg notes Goretzka has “no plans to leave Bayern in [the] winter.”

It is a positive update for United fans nonetheless, as recent reports had indicated the club would only be limited in their movements in January.

And while Plettenberg’s reference to an “affordable” striker indicates money will be tight, the fact United are also looking at a centre-midfielder suggests some flexibility in the budget.

Darragh Fox

Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.

Ruben Amorim appointment the ‘dream scenario’ for three Man Utd players

November 6, 2024

Ruben Amorim’s appointment as the new Man Utd manager is the “dream scenario” for three Red Devils players, according to former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin.

The Red Devils have been terrible so far this season with Man Utd currently 13th in the Premier League as Amorim prepares to take over on November 11 after Erik ten Hag’s sacking last week.

Man Utd have won just three matches all season with only Crystal Palace and Southampton scoring fewer goals than them in the Premier League this term.

But Nevin reckons three players could be buoyed by the news of Amorim’s arrival at Man Utd with Bruno Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte and Luke Shaw having reason to celebrate for differing reasons.

Nevin told BetVictor: “When you look at players trying to get into Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United side, it might help if you’re Portuguese! There’s been an amazing amount of positivity from Bruno Fernandes around the announcement.

“I think Manuel Ugarte, whom he worked with at Sporting, will be important for him. In the end it will really come down to who fits into his system, because he is going to play three at the back. That will suit certain players, but others, not so much.

“It’s a dream scenario for Luke Shaw. He can play on the left of the back three, or as the left wing-back. Long-term, I think it will be harder for players like Casemiro and Christian Eriksen. They’re not young anymore and Amorim will want more dynamism in his midfield. I think it will be tough for them.”

But Nevin fired a warning to Amorim about his 3-4-3 system that he has deployed at Sporting Lisbon if he decides to use his favoured formation at Man Utd.

Nevin added: “Amorim needs to get them to a level where they can compete for European football again,” said Nevin. “Everyone wants to know which players will suit him, but he won’t know until he works with the squad. A player might seem perfect for a certain manager’s system, but then they might hate each other!

“It comes down to who buys into it. I do think he’ll make them better, but it’ll be intriguing to see how long it takes for his system to work. Three-at-the-back systems seem to work really well initially, but then teams work out how to play against it.

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“Chelsea experienced that under Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel. The system brought immediate success for both of them, but then they both got found out the following season.

“It’ll be like that for Manchester United. He’ll bring in his own ideas and I suspect they’ll work really well initially because he knows the system. But Premier League teams aren’t stupid, they’ll learn quickly and find where the weaknesses are.”

Some fans have been disappointed by the impact of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS so far but Nevin reckons the Amorin appointment marks the start of their proper reign.

Nevin continued: “The INEOS era at Manchester United starts when Ruben Amorim walks through the door. They’ve got the backroom staff in place, the chief executive, and now they’ve got the manager they want – it’s all in place now. He needs to be given a minimum of two transfer windows, and after that you’ll find out exactly what he is.

“The worst thing they can do is what they did with David Moyes. If they end up doing that and sacking him after 10 months, then they deserve whatever happens to them. That group of players has shown that they’re not good enough, so it’s going to take time. They need to give him a couple of windows before they can expect improvement, never mind winning things!”

United planning to “make moves in January” with two key targets identified – Sky Sports Germany

November 6, 2024