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Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Ruben Amorim, Sporting CP
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Ruben Amorim, Sporting CP
Manchester United have informed Sporting CP of their intention to activate Ruben Amorim's release clause after he verbally agreed to succeed Erik ten Hag as manager, so what should fans expect if the deal goes through?
Amorim, who has lifted two Portuguese titles and two League Cups with Sporting since his much-anticipated arrival in 2020, is widely regarded as one of the most talented young coaches in world football.
After briefly working under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United in April 2018 – when Amorim was among three students to be selected to intern at Carrington – the former Benfica defender took his first job in management at Portuguese third-division side Casa Pia.
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He was handed a suspended one-year ban in January 2019 for delivering instructions during a match without the required completion of his coaching badges by the Portuguese Football Federation.
But he took over Braga’s B team in September that year and won seven of his first eight games before replacing Ricardo Sa Pinto as first-team manager.
A short time later, in March 2020, Amorim joined Sporting CP for a reported €10 million and the rest is history. In his four-year spell at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, the 39-year-old has helped transform Sporting from fallen giants to league champions.
But can he help United become a force to be reckoned with again? Here's four things that are likely to happen if Amorim gets the job at Old Trafford.
Amorim favours a 3-4-3 formation that focuses on high pressing and possession. His teams typically drive forward in a 3-2-5 shape and defend as a compact 5-2-3 – a very different system to the one Erik ten Hag implemented during his reign.
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United will likely deploy three centre-backs under Amorim, who has previously encouraged his defenders to break the first line through the centre of the pitch as often as possible.
Expect a high defensive line, too, with Sporting having had the fourth highest defensive line in major European leagues since 2023/24 thanks, in part, to their attacking wing backs.
Amorim often uses a box-to-box midfielder and a ball-winning midfielder in the centre, as well as a pacey winger who can dribble and an attacking midfielder who can create chances behind his striker.
The Uruguay international has yet to establish himself as a first-team regular since his big-money move from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, but expect him to feature heavily if Amorim gets the job.
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The 23-year-old midfielder enjoyed arguably the best season of his career under Amorim in 2022/23, ranking in the top one percent of midfielders in Europe for pass completion, ball recoveries and tackles won.
Ugarte's familiarity with the 3-4-3 system will no doubt prove vital as United try and improve at the back.
With 11 points from their opening nine Premier League games, United are going through one of the worst spells in their recent history. Erik ten Hag was unable to turn things around, despite a total spend of around £200 million in the summer.
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But the arrival of Amorim – a figure who has been described as "eloquent" and "outgoing" – will likely improve matters, both on and off the pitch.
In a recent report by ESPN, it is claimed that one United player told close friends that Ten Hag didn't know how to motivate, with players often finding him difficult to read. Amorim, meanwhile, has been described as a "poet" by Cristiano Ronaldo because of the way he talks to his players.
United are often front and centre when it comes to transfer rumours but when January rolls around, expect there to be an overwhelming amount of speculation. A number of Sporting CP players have already been linked, including Goncalo Inacio and Viktor Gyokeres.
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According to The Guardian, there is only a 'modest' budget for the new United manager in January as they prepare to adhere with profitability and sustainability rules.
As a result, they may have to balance the books with player sales. Marcus Rashford is named as the player with the highest value at £60 million, with Paris Saint-Germain long-term admirers of the 26-year-old, so expect his name to crop up.
