Ruben Amorim went into the Arsenal game without a loss. Martin Ødegaard and the Gunners pushed for a 2-0 win with set-piece goals, but the loss was by no means a disgrace for Manchester United. Reports from Sporting also show that Ruben Amorim is the coach who can build success for the Red Devils.
We were sceptical when Manchester United sacked Ruud van Nistelrooy after giving the United players energy, confidence and ability to decide games in a matter of short weeks. After seeing Ruben Amorim’s impact on players, supporters – and not least opponents – we are confident that the Portuguese is the right one for the long run.
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The United players clearly buy Amorim’s methods. The Portuguese has emphasized the need for patience because he is a realist, which is refreshing after two years of delusions from predecessor Erik ten Hag. However, there were more genuine signs of progress in North London at Arsenal, and the next time the two sides meet in the FA Cup in early January, it could be a very different story.
The first 45 minutes at the Emirates were marked by United’s disciplined approach that frustrated Arsenal. Playmaker Martin Ødegaard struggled to make an impact on the game due to constant pressure from Noussair Mazraoui. Arsenal had scored 13 goals in the previous three games, but hardly had a chance as the visitors slowed down the game while also having a large part of the ball possession.
Amorim was pleased to see his 3-4-3 system working again, telling reporters after the game: “You feel it at first, in the environment of the stadium, that we caused problems. We have to improve in a lot of areas of our game, but we controlled the game.”
In Lisbon, Amorim’s indisputable influence as a leader on the game and the players is confirmed.
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Joao Pereira was given the thankless task of stepping in as head coach at short notice in a season that had so far been a continuous journey of success. Now the Portuguese club has lost three games in a row, for the first time in five years! Amorim was brought to Sporting in 2020, before the coach packed up and traveled to Manchester, he had led Sporting to eight games without defeat. Pereira started well with a 6-0 win over Amrante in the first leg, then everything went straight south.
Ruben Amorim can change and lift Manchester United, all doubts have now been erased.
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