by Ruben Amorim gave a brief but fascinating insight into how Manchester United will play under his management during a post-match interview on Tuesday evening.
The 39-year-old, who is widely regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young coaches, will take charge of his first game at Ipswich Town on November 24 but will officially join on November 11.
It would be an understatement to say that Amorim has a big job. So far, United have managed just three wins out of a possible 10 in the competition, and are yet to record a win in Europe.
Yet the Portuguese coach knows he has to adapt at Old Trafford and “play in a different way” compared to how his Sporting side performed against Manchester City on Tuesday night.
Sporting ceded possession to Pep Guardiola’s team for most of the first half. Half an hour later, City had 70 percent of the ball and were 1-0 ahead thanks to a fine finish from Phil Foden.
City were eventually blown away by their Portuguese opponents in the second half as Viktor Gyokeres continued his excellent form with an eye-catching hat-trick.
But even after a 4-1 win against Premier League champions Manchester City, a cool, calm and collected Amorim explained why he will “have to improve as a coach” at new club Manchester United, as he admitted United cannot be that defensive .
“Now, after Sunday, I will start a new adventure at a new club,” said Amorim TNT Sports. “We have to play against these teams in a different way, we can’t defend like this. I have to improve as a coach.”
Tactical analyst and host of the show The Overlap Breakdown @htomufc gave his opinion on Amorim’s comments in the post-match interview.
He wrote further Xpreviously Twitter: “I’ve seen a bit of panic over the edited quote but this is probably what he’s talking about: having so little possession, stopping so many box entries, not having too much aggressive front pressing, but so he said he had to improve himself to be able to coach this.”
Here’s how fans on social media responded to Amorim’s comments.
One wrote: “A manager who is honest, understands where his team needs to improve, and actually acted on that at half-time by adding an extra man in midfield? This is so refreshing.”
A second said: “He’s so aware of what he’s up against, he’s already indicated how much pressure will be, he’s now going into the adjustments he’ll have to make so we don’t play inferior in big games. he is so aware of the enormity of the job, which I think is great.”
A third said: “You know what. I like honesty. I’m not trying to mess with the fans. Understands what the club is and what the status is. I wish him all the best.”
A fourth wrote: ‘This is so refreshing to hear. Not once have I seen Ten Hag come up with these kinds of words. The first step to success is self-awareness’, and a fifth added: ‘He just seems so aware of what he’s walking. inside.”
Image credit: Getty
What do you think of Amorim’s post-match interview on Tuesday night? Let us know in the comments.
