It’s been a rather woeful start to the season, but Manchester United have now confirmed their next manager after sacking Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman was given the boot with the Red Devils languishing in 14th in the Premier League, while they have also gone winless in the Europa League. Ten Hag paid with his job, but there is renewed optimism around Old Trafford with the arrival of Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim.
The former Portugal international has led Sporting to two Primeira Liga titles in recent years, becoming a club icon after winning them their first championships since the early 2000s. Now, however, he has a new and enormous challenge to take on.
Amorim won’t take charge of a United game until after the November international break as he sees out the last of his commitments in Portugal, but that hasn’t stopped United fans getting excited over a potential upturn in their club’s fortunes.
🚨OFFICIAL: Rúben Amorim is the new Manchester United manager! 🔴⚫️
Contract until June 2027, with €11m compensation to Sporting.
The Sporting-United connection lives on! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/VVej67CX3S
— 90min (@90min_Football) November 1, 2024
The new era officially begins now. https://t.co/qzGGCAnX4Y
— Scott Saunders (@__scottsaunders) November 1, 2024
Ruben Amorim is the new @ManUtd head coach 🔴 pic.twitter.com/9sVSh4SP59
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 1, 2024
39 – At 39 years old, Rúben Amorim is Manchester United’s youngest manager since a 33-year-old Wilf McGuinness took charge of them on Boxing Day 1970 against Derby County. Baptism. pic.twitter.com/3SroEmilGu
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 1, 2024
Ten Hag — “Manager”.
Amorim — “Head Coach”.Welcome to the INEOS era. pic.twitter.com/gEz4hEeycp
— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) November 1, 2024
Delighted with Ruben Amorim. Him and Nagelsmann the outstanding choices for me. Incredibly excited to see what he can deliver for Manchester United and even more so by doing it in a different way with his style of play.
Interestingly, he’s described as a ‘head coach’, which is…
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) November 1, 2024
This absolutely needs to work.
United cannot, I repeat, CANNOT, back Amorim in the transfer window and transition this squad into a back-three side, then get rid of him within three years. It comes be a squad-building nightmare.
Best of luck to him! https://t.co/ZOAMsgu5GI
— Alex (@EuroExpert_) November 1, 2024
Amorim the youngest #mufc manager/head coach since Wilf McGuinness replaced Sir Matt Busby in 1969. A bold move and a vibrant profile of coach the club needed. A much-needed clean break and will be fascinating to follow.
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) November 1, 2024
There was a little more scepticism from punters in other circles, but everyone will be glued to their television screens next week when Sporting take on Manchester City in the Champions League.
The quirk of the mid-season move to Old Trafford means Amorim will battle Pep Guardiola another two times this term once he starts work at United, who haven’t faced City in the Premier League yet in 2024/25.
I think that could be a good appointment for Man Utd to be fair to them – Ruben Amorim. It is a bit strange though that he interviewed for the West Ham job in the summer & didn’t get it. Unsure whether they rejected him or he rejected them though.
— Spion Kop (@TheKopHQ) November 1, 2024
Him being able to face City and see how they play before he joins United is one of the smartest plan by INEOS. https://t.co/z6sF1qOjBj
— • 🇵🇹 (@AmorimTactic) November 1, 2024
Pep Guardiola vs Rúben Amorim.
Manchester City vs Manchester United.Coming soon. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/2WJnv73IcD
— City Xtra (@City_Xtra) November 1, 2024
Amorim will now enjoy a long goodbye with Sporting, taking charge of three more games before he jets over to England to start his new challenge.
The likes of Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all failed before Ten Hag took on the poisoned chalice. Only time will tell whether United got this appointment right, but it’s certainly an exciting one.
