Ruben Amorim: What You Need To Know About Manchester United’s Manager-Elect

Manchester United parted ways with Erik ten Hag after the Dutchman fell short against West Ham (2-1 loss) last weekend. Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed as interim head coach until a replacement is found, with reports suggesting Ruben Amorim has already agreed terms with the club.

The Portuguese tactician also disclosed the Red Devils' interest in a recent press conference. He'll be taking over at Old Trafford after the November international break, per Fabrizio Romano. His playful demeanour whilst answering questions posed to him regarding his situation further suggests the inevitability of the highly coveted tactician’s arrival at Old Trafford.

Who is Manchester United-bound Ruben Amorim?

‘The Poet’

The name Ruben Amorim has been prominent in Portuguese football for some time now. Though many know him solely for his exploits as Sporting CP's head coach, Amorim’s football career actually began as a player. He made his debut for Primeira Liga side Belenenses at the tender age of 18 in 2003. A young Amorim would go on to make 96 appearances in the span of five years at the club before moving to Benfica.

Amorim plied his trade at Benfica for the majority of his remaining playing days. He went on to make 95 appearances for the Eagles over a span of 9 years, during which he claimed a domestic treble in the 2013-14 season, the only trophies he would amass in a playing career stretching over 13 years. 

The Lisboa-born coach's managerial career started not long after his retirement in 2016. His first coaching gig came in the third division of Portuguese football with Casa Pia. Amorim would spend a year there before moving to SC Braga to coach its reserve team, a role the young aspiring manager thrived in. This role eventually earned him the head coach position in September 2019.

Amorim guided Braga to the Portuguese Cup within six months of his reign, effectively making him the hottest managerial prospect in Portugal. In 2020, Sporting CP chose to gamble on a then 35-year-old Amorim to the tune of €10 million– making him the third most expensive manager in football history. What a gamble it later proved to be.

Since his appointment, Amorim has guided Sporting to two Primeira Liga titles in four years – winning the club’s first league title in 19 years in his debut season. His tactical know-how and elite level of understanding of the game, coupled with his laid-back, charismatic attitude, have made the world of football fall in love with the two-time Primeira Liga Champion. Fellow countryman and Manchester United legend Cristiano Ronaldo nicknamed Amorim “The Poet” due to his “eloquence” and uplifting spirit in the dressing room. The Red Devils have secured themselves a confident and ambitious tactician with an undisputed track record of winning. 

Amorim-Ball

Ruben Amorim is known for his tactical adaptability as much as anything else. As Sporting's manager, he's mainly deployed a 3-4-3 system focused on defensive solidity. The three central defenders are expected to be comfortable on the ball, especially the two outside centre-halves in the three who will act as the primary ball progressors in the build-up.

Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diamonde did just that under Amorim at Sp, topping the stat charts for most ball progressions in the league. The central defender of the three-man defense acts as the destroyer. He sometimes enters midfield during the build-up, opening up passing lanes for the two ball-progressing center halves.

In midfield, Amorim prefers to utilize a 'U' shape, keeping his two holding midfielders and two attacking midfielders relatively narrow to each other - forming a box shape. One of the two holding midfielders acts as an out-and-out ball winner while the other operates as more of an '8' making runs into the box and helping his team progress up the field with his ball-carrying ability. The two wingbacks are primarily offensive, with one often operating higher up than the other. They will both look to cross the ball into the box and supply their goal threats with chances from out wide.

The striker is required to be complete, with the strength and physique to hold up play and the athleticism to run in behind defenses. Victor Gyokeres has been the perfect fit for this kind of role. The Swede has been a sensation since arriving from EFL Championship side Coventry in 2023. Since then, the 26-year-old has managed 41 goals in 42 appearances for the Portuguese giants, earning him a reputation as one of Europe’s most in-demand strikers. 

How Will Ruben Amorim Set Up This Manchester United Side?

Amorim will be expected to integrate the current squad into his preferred 3-4-3 system. The three-man defence will mean a much-needed reform for a Manchester United backline that has looked shaky this season. The new defensive recruitments provide United’s new boss options, with players like Leny Yoro yet to feature this season.

As for the wingback positions, the right-hand side seems sorted, with Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui set to fight for a starting spot. The left-hand side is the more uncertain of the two, with the only left-footed option being Shaw, who is still unavailable. Youngster Harry Amass looks like a good option at left wing-back; however, his inexperience makes it difficult for any manager to entrust him with a spot in the starting XI completely. 

In attack, Amorim prefers to maintain his 3-4-3 shape. However, this does not stop the tactician from adapting to the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. The two wide attackers often tuck inside, creating space for the wingbacks to overlap. The two wingers invert inwards and help create midfield overloads, allowing the team to make combination plays and quick passing sequences in and around the opponent’s box. The narrow midfield forms a box shape, making it easier to dominate the opposition in congested midfield areas and press due to the team’s close proximity.

If the initial press is broken, Amorim’s sides look to contain the counter until the team is regrouped in a low block. This is something Manuel Ugarte was especially adept at during his spell with Sporting CP under Amorim, and would presumably end up becoming a key player for the Portuguese Boss. The two holding midfielders in front of the back line will focus on shielding the defense and preventing passes between the lines in order to maintain the team’s compact shape.

Ruben Amorim’s appointment as United’s new permanent head coach will make sense. The 39-year-old is a young and hungry coach, eager to prove himself in the most-watched league in the world. He will be put to the ultimate test of skill and grit in his time at Old Trafford, and how he handles adversities will make or break his stint. However, the Portuguese tactician exudes a Mourinho-esque Aura that leads United supporters to believe they may have found their own ‘Special One’.