One Year Of Amorim Leadership
November 11 marks the first anniversary of Rúben Amorim’s appointment as Manchester United’s head coach. British media took this opportunity to review his eventful year — what has he done, what impact has he made, and is the future promising?
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Discipline Above Friendship
It all began with last October’s 3–3 Europa League draw against Porto. United led 2–0 before collapsing and barely salvaging a point thanks to Maguire’s stoppage-time header. After the match, Erik ten Hag furiously scolded his players, only for Bruno Fernandes and other team leaders to ask him to leave the dressing room so the squad could hold a private meeting. Despite passionate speeches from Dalot and others, results didn’t improve — and after just one win in eight matches, Ten Hag was dismissed.
Anonymous sources revealed that many players were unhappy with Ten Hag’s tone, prompting United executives to begin searching for his replacement. Talks with Sporting Lisbon soon followed, and CEO Berrada eventually flew to Portugal to finalize the deal for Amorim.
Cristiano Ronaldo once called Amorim “the poet,” but this “poet” has proven far from gentle. In press conferences, he speaks elegantly; privately, he’s sharp and demanding. He criticized Ugarte publicly after a poor Europa League final, saying he “barely recognized” the player he once coached at Sporting. For the rebellious Garnacho, Amorim bluntly told him to “find a good agent and leave this summer.”
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Fair But Firm Leadership Style
Amorim is known for group discussions rather than one-on-one meetings. Some players appreciate his fairness; others wish for personal feedback. During a pre-season trip to Kuala Lumpur, several players reportedly debated on a rooftop whether the manager should offer more individual guidance. Amorim’s answer was clear — prove your worth on the training pitch, not through private talks.
He maintains a professional distance, rarely joining players’ social events. Instead, he formed a six-man leadership group — Bruno Fernandes, Maguire, Heaton, Lima, Mazraoui, and Dalot — giving them locker room autonomy.
To improve discipline, Amorim banned late arrivals and emphasized fan engagement. Before each match, half the squad must sign autographs outside Old Trafford, and the other half must do so after the final whistle — a rule that’s earned him praise from club staff and supporters alike.
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Stubborn With His Tactical Beliefs
Amorim once declared, “Not even the Pope can make me abandon three at the back.” Critics say he’s too rigid, but he insists tactics aren’t the only factor — player fitness and execution matter more. Occasionally, he experiments with a 4-3-3 setup in training to improve situational awareness, but never as a compromise.
Internally, some believe Amorim refuses to change formation because he’s convinced that his 3-4-2-1 system will restore United’s glory. If he changed and results improved, it would imply his previous setup was flawed — something he’s unwilling to admit.
He frequently uses “shadow training,” where players move as if facing an invisible opponent, perfecting positioning and coordination. If someone’s out of place, Amorim stops play and corrects them personally. With more training time this season and fewer injuries, his tactical ideas are finally taking shape.
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Rocky Start But Board Support Remains
Despite a full pre-season and heavy summer spending, United’s start this season was shaky. After a humiliating Manchester derby defeat, pressure mounted for Amorim’s sacking. The home victory over Chelsea eased the tension, and a few days later, United’s new INEOS-era football board — including CEO Berrada, sporting director Wilcox, and CFO Roger Bell — met with Sir Alex Ferguson and former CEO David Gill. Surprisingly, Amorim was invited too, showing the board’s trust in him.
Berrada and Wilcox presented positive metrics to the “Senate,” suggesting that progress, though slow, was visible. But two days later, a crushing 1–3 loss to Brentford reignited doubts. That’s when Sir Jim Ratcliffe stepped forward, pledging full support and giving Amorim “three years to rebuild United.”
Three straight wins over Sunderland, Liverpool, and Brighton revived confidence, but recent draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham exposed ongoing weaknesses — and hints of hope.
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Patience Above All
Is Amorim truly United’s chosen one? Perhaps, as Ed Glazer said months ago, the key lies in patience:
“You must ask yourself — are we on the right path? Does what we’re doing work? Change sometimes works, sometimes it doesn’t. You need patience. It’s not about money — it’s about finding the right people and giving them time.”
That philosophy may define Amorim’s Manchester United — a club rebuilding with structure, discipline, and belief that success will come with time.
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