After taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim quickly identified two major flaws from his predecessor Ten Hag’s tenure. Amorim told his United players that if they want to turn their fortunes around on the pitch, they must concede fewer goals and work harder.
Amorim stepped in after Ten Hag was dismissed by the club’s INEOS-led management while the team sat mid-table in the Premier League. The Portuguese coach began training with the squad this week in preparation for Sunday’s away match against Ipswich. In his first pre-match press conference, Amorim clearly laid out his expectations for the team.
When asked to assess the team’s weaknesses this season, Amorim said, “I think we’re conceding too many goals, and we must control the ball better. We have to improve our defensive transitions. This is obvious to everyone.”
He added: “I think we need to improve the team’s fitness level. I don’t know how long this will take, but at Manchester United, you have to win matches, so I won’t tell you I need a lot of time.”
In an extended interview with Sky Sports, Amorim elaborated further to former United captain Gary Neville: “The issue lies in ball control. We’re losing possession too quickly. We win the ball back, but then lose it just as fast. You can’t always press high if you don’t control the ball. You need to start attacks from the right positions.”
He continued, “When we’re in possession, we can press better. That’s why this week’s training has focused on this. If we don’t lose the ball, we can push higher up the pitch. The higher we position ourselves, the better we press. It’s all interconnected, like a snowball effect.”
However, Amorim also expressed strong belief in United’s squad and stated that he sees himself as the right person to bring the club back to glory.
It’s even bigger than I imagined,” Amorim said about taking over at United. “There are so many departments. Compared to Sporting CP, this is completely different—Sporting is a big club in Portugal, but here it feels like a global club. There’s a lot to do, not just coaching the team, but also attending meetings and offering help. I feel very happy and comfortable—just like home.”
He added, “I’m a bit of a dreamer. I believe in myself. I also believe in the club. We share the same vision and mentality, which helps. I truly believe in the players as well. I know many of you have little faith in them, but I have full confidence in them.”
“I think we have room for improvement. I want to try new things. You might think it’s impossible, but I believe it’s achievable. Let’s wait and see.”
Amorim’s first public appearance has been widely praised. His clear vision and confident demeanor have given fans and the media renewed hope. Former United player Michael Owen gave high praise to Amorim, going as far as to call him far superior to Ten Hag.
Owen said: “In recent years, there have been many false dawns at Manchester United, but you get the feeling that Amorim might be the right choice. I like the way he carries himself—he looks confident. In ten minutes, he said more sense than Ten Hag did in two and a half years. This won’t be fixed overnight; there’s still a lot to do, but…”
Owen’s comments reflect the high expectations fans and the media have for Amorim. His clarity of thought and confidence during his debut appearance have garnered widespread approval. Fans hope the Portuguese coach can lead United out of their current struggles and restore their former glory.
