Man United: Is Ruben Amorim the man to inspire instant & abiding success at Old Trafford?

Time waits for no man and that was a phrase particularly applicable to both Erik ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy on Monday. Within a matter of hours of Ten Hag being relieved of his duties as Manchester United head coach and his compatriot and former assistant Van Nistelrooy being handed the Red Devils top job on an interim basis, it appeared that the 20-time Premier League winners had already found their new, permanent man.

Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim, who has led the Portuguese giants to two Primeira Liga titles since joining from Braga in March 2020, is now the firm favourite to be named Ten Hag’s successor at Old Trafford; in fact, it appears to be a mere formality that he will make a long-awaited move to England, with only final few details to be agreed between the two clubs, if reports are to be believed.

So, with Amorim destined to leave the Lions for the Red Devils, just what exactly will Man United supporters be getting from their new man? And how quickly can the 39-year-old inspire a turnaround at one of the world’s most famous clubs?

Let’s begin things by quickly running through Amorim’s career in professional football to date. He began his playing career at Belenenses in 2003, spending five years at the Lisbon-based club before making the short switch to Portugal’s most successful side, Benfica, where, save for an 18-month loan spell at Braga and a season-long stint at Qatari outfit Al-Wakrah, he remained until the end of his playing days in April 2017.

The 14-cap Portugal international soon turned his attention to coaching, starting work as manager of then-third-division side Casa Pia, where he lasted just a few months after being suspended for delivering instructions during a match without the required completion of his coaching badges by the Portuguese Football Federation.

Undeterred by this experience, Amorim returned to Braga in September 2019 and took charge of their ‘B’ team until December, when he moved up to the first team and enjoyed instant success. He won 10 of his 13 games in a whirlwind few months in charge which included a Taca da Liga Final triumph over Porto before being named as Sporting’s new boss in March 2020, where he has remained ever since.

In a Covid-afflicted campaign, Amorim led Sporting to fourth place in the Primeira Liga, the club’s worst finish since 2013, when they placed sixth in the standings. However, he had made his mark on the side and left a lasting impression on supporters who were keen to see the rookie boss build on the good work that had seen the capital club qualify for the Europa League third qualifying round.

Hopes were high around Amorim, but few people could predict the rapid success he would lead the Lions to in his first full season in charge, which brought about his second consecutive Taca da Liga trophy and Sporting’s first Primeira Liga title in 19 years.

The 2020/21 Manager of the Year was unable to replicate his league-winning feat the following campaign, despite finishing on the same number of points (85). Sporting finished as runners-up to Porto but Amorim did collect a third-straight League Cup winner’s medal.

Things went backwards in 2022/23 as Sporting dropped nine points and two places, while Porto denied Amorim from claiming a fourth-successive Taca da Liga title.

However, Amorim and Sporting were back on top last season as the Lions, powered by 29-goal Golden Boot winner Viktor Gyokeres, lifted a second Primeira Liga title in four years.

Suddenly, Amorim was flavour of the month again, and Premier League sides Liverpool and West Ham United were strongly linked with a move for his services earlier this year, although nothing came to fruition and his reputation amongst Sporting supporters was blemished by an April trip to London for talks with the Irons.

Despite apparent frictions, it’s been more of the same for Sporting this term as they currently sit top of the Portuguese top flight having won all nine league games so far, scoring 30 goals and conceding just twice. They’ve also impressed in the Uefa Champions League, beating both Lille and Sturm Graz 2-0 either side of a 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands to remain unbeaten in the league phase.

Such form has inevitably grabbed the attention of even bigger clubs in Europe, and it seems like Ineos’ Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Man United, will be the one to finally bite the bait and bring Amorim overseas.

Invariably, a new managerial appointment brings about a great deal of excitement, but there’s an extensive in-tray for Amorim to deal with if and when he does take charge of the club.

There are issues in all areas of the field for Man Utd, starting at the back where they have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven games and shipped three goals to each of Tottenham Hotspur and Porto in that period. The Red Devils also conceded three at home to arch-rivals Liverpool in August, and although injuries have kept the likes of Leny Yoro and Luke Shaw from making an appearance so far, there are few excuses for the side to be leaking as many goals as they have been.

One of the most interesting aspects of Amorim’s potential appointment at Old Trafford is whether he will stick with a formation that has served him so well in Portugal.

At Sporting, Amorim has generally favoured a 3-4-2-1 formation with three central defenders and two wing-backs pushed up high and wide to stretch the opposition’s backline, although the Lions are far from rigid and have shown a great deal of fluidity in how they set up and build from the back.

Of course, out of possession, their 3-4-2-1 can be viewed as a more compact 5-4-1, although the absence of a third midfielder usually requires a centre-back to step out to press an opposition player in possession or about to receive the ball. The role of Lisandro Martinez could be interesting if Amorim does decide to set up in a similar shape at United, with the Argentine famed for his aggressive style off the ball, as well as his comfort in possession.

We might well see Martinez, Yoro and Harry Maguire, the latter in a role akin to that of ex-Liverpool and Uruguay defender Sebastien Coates, who was never particularly pacey himself, line up together in a three-man backline under the Portuguese boss.

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia could be ideal left-wing backs, but getting the duo fit in the first place is the big challenge. Diogo Dalot, meanwhile, appears ideally suited to life as a marauding right wing-back.

Manuel Ugarte might be the biggest beneficiary of Amorim’s impending arrival having starred under his stewardship for two seasons at Sporting before sealing a lucrative move to Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. Prior to that, Amorim lent on the ball-winning abilities of Joao Palhinha, so we can expect Ugarte to resume his role of ‘get it and give it’ if Amorim takes charge at Old Trafford.

The development of Kobbie Mainoo under Amorim could be one to watch as, so far, the supremely talented teenager has struggled out of possession and when receiving the ball with his back to play in deeper areas of the pitch. His talents when facing forward and driving at defenders are unquestionable, but there is some intrigue over how seamless his adaptation would be to a system such as Amorim’s at Sporting.

Further up the field, we can expect Bruno Fernandes to feature in the half-spaces in a role akin to that of fellow Portuguese Pedro Goncalves, who has been racking up the goals and assists for Sporting since joining from Familicao in 2020.

Up front, Amorim will hope to have a transformative effect on Rasmus Hojlund, a 6ft3in centre-forward who needs to add the physicality and confidence in his game that has taken Gyokeres to a new level in Portugal. Gyokeres is the focal point of Sporting’s attack and is now considered one of European football’s best strikers, and that is something that should offer United fans confidence as a deal for Amorim grows closer to completion.

Of course, Amorim is unlikely to be a manager completely wedded to one idea or a single system, but as ever when a head coach looks set to swap sides, it’s interesting to compare and contrast the different sets of players and how his new group may fit in with his previous style of play.

What is abundant is that Man Utd would be getting one of Europe’s finest young managers with a reputation for winning and developing players.

We may have heard that one before - cough, cough, Ten Hag - but a previous man’s failings shouldn’t detract from the talents of his proposed successor, and there’s a lot to get excited about with Amorim.

A lot is usually said about how a new manager needs time to implement his ideas, and that is certainly true - we shouldn’t be expecting Amorim to inspire a Premier League title charge from the moment he touches down in England - but he has shown before that he can hit the ground running early and lead a side to instant success.

Yes, things will be a lot harder for him in Manchester where he will have to compete with cross-city rival Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, as well as Arne Slot at Liverpool, Mikel Arteta at Arsenal and Enzo Maresca at Chelsea.

But, a little bit of early silverware never hurt anyone - it kept Ten Hag in a job for a year or two longer than he should’ve been - and if Amorim can actually build a distinctive style of play in the league alongside some joy in the cups, he could lay the foundations for a long, successful stint with the Red Devils.

Keep up to date with our latest Football Betting Tips on our dedicated insights hub.