Ruben Amorim Introduces Strict Autograph Rule That Man Utd Players Must Follow
Ruben Amorim has introduced a strict rule at Old Trafford as he marks one year in charge at Manchester United.
It has now been 12 months since Amorim was appointed Manchester United's head coach, following a turbulent start to the 2024-25 season under Erik ten Hag.
However, United continued to struggle last season and ended up finishing 15th, their worst ever Premier League finish.
Coupled with defeat in the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, United failed to qualify for European competition for the first time in a decade.
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There have been signs of improvement so far this season, with victories over Chelsea and Liverpool, although the defeat to League Two Grimsby in the Carabao Cup was a new low for Manchester United.
As well as introducing his distinctive 3-4-3 formation, Amorim has sought to rebuild the connection between the players and United's match-going fans.
According to The Athletic, he has implemented a rule that half of his squad must sign autographs before a game at Old Trafford, while the other half sign afterwards.
Although most players prefer to sign autographs before the game, they have followed Amorim's new rule.
Discipline under Ruben Amorim
The Athletic also reported that Amorim has attempted to improve standards regarding professionalism and commitment.
He has cited examples of players going out and arriving late for training as examples of behaviour that will not be tolerated.
Both Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford were axed from the squad for December's Manchester derby at the Etihad.
Although Garnacho returned as a regular in the second half of the season, both players were later included in the so-called 'bomb squad' during the summer and subsequently left the club.
However, Amorim has pointed to Casemiro as an example of how a player can fight their way back into his plans.
He revealed that, at one stage, the Brazilian was his last-choice central midfielder, but he has established himself as a key player this season.
The future under Ruben Amorim
The Portuguese head coach threatened to walk away several times during his first year in charge, most recently following the defeat to Grimsby.
But an upturn in form appears to have helped Amorim settle at Old Trafford.
Minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has said Amorim needs to be given three years to prove he is a great coach.
Amorim is also believed to have developed a close working relationship with both chief executive Omar Berrada and sporting director Jason Wilcox.
That is despite Wilcox being an admirer of the 4-3-3 formation, the same system Manchester City enjoyed great success with during his time at the Etihad.
Topics: Ruben Amorim, Premier League, Football, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Man Utd
James Taylor