Manchester United

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Former Manchester United manager David Moyes believes Ruben Amorim might "take time to settle in" at Old Trafford but highlights there is a lot of "privilege" and "pressure" associated with the job.

Moyes discussed his experience of taking charge of the Red Devils following the departure of the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson on a special edition of BBC World Service's Sportsworld podcast.

"It is a huge privilege to be given the chance to manage Manchester United," Moyes said. "There are only a few people who ever get the opportunity to manage at that level.

"I haven't managed at Real Madrid but, for me, Manchester United is a club which has bigger support worldwide. Every newspaper in the world would have been covering this story, because there are so many Manchester United supporters worldwide.

"So it is an incredible job, but it is different as well. I have to say that it carries a lot of pressure and an awful lot of media coverage. They are always looking for things on Manchester United.

"It might take a little bit of time for him to settle in but, if he gets given the time by the board, his statistics and what he's doing at the moment shows up very well in Portugal."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Manchester United have confirmed five members of Ruben Amorim's backroom staff, who all join the club from Sporting.

Carlos Fernandes will work as Amorim's assistant head coach, with Adelio Candido and Emanuel Ferro coming in as first-team coaches.

Jorge Vital takes up the role of first-team goalkeeper coach and Paulo Barreira arrives as physical performance coach.

They join first-team coaches Darren Fletcher and Andreas Georgson, and assistant first-team goalkeeper coach, who were all at the club under Erik ten Hag.

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Juventus are considering a move for Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee, with the future of their own forward Dusan Vlahovic uncertain. (CalcioMercato - in Italian), external

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Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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The players Ruben Amorim met earlier in the week, including England trio Kobbie Mainoo, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount, were all doing rehabilitation, so it will be next week before Manchester United's new head coach really gets to work.

It is likely to be Friday before he has his full squad together because of Alejandro Garnacho and Manuel Ugarte's international commitments in South America.

Amorim's first game in charge is at Ipswich on 24 November and while the Portuguese accepts not everything will be to his satisfaction, he is promising fans they will see a team that is inherently his.

"The most important thing for me at this moment is to create the principles, the identity and the character we had in the past," he told United club media.

"We will focus a lot on our game model - how to play, how to press, these small things. You cannot go 100% on every detail because it will be confusing for the players. But if I have to say one thing, my main goal, my first goal, it is identity."

Chief executive Omar Berrada was the driving force behind Amorim's appointment, with sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox the executives he will be working with most closely.

"We want to do something special in a special club - that was a key point," Amorim added.

"When Manchester United told me about their plans, you get excited. We know if the team plays well and wins games, everything looks so much better and the people really start to believe in the new stadium and new ideas.

"It's a real honour that I was the first choice to start that path."

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There has been some pressure on players carrying an injury going into international breaks with their national side because you are contracted to these clubs and that is where your income is.

But, for me, as a player I had a similar mindset to Harry Kane that I would always be available - injured or not injured. I would have injections when I was on international duty just so I could represent my country because it meant that much.

It is difficult, however. If you look at Jack Grealish and Pep Guardiola's comments, he has a point because the forward has not been able to play for Manchester City because of injuries. So if you have been sidelined for three or four games, I would agree that you are then not fit and available to go on international duty.

But when you look at some of the other players, ones who have been playing and being managed by their club, then I do not see it being different to being played and managed by your country.

From the club's side, when they are competing at such high levels in the Premier League, you can understand why they would want their players to be rested and get fully fit again over the two weeks, rather than having to come back straight into a hectic period of fixtures.

I kind of get it from both points of view but, as a player, if I am half fit and being played by my club, I would be fully available for my national team.

It is really difficult with the pressure that is on the players, though. I would not look at it as a decision players have made solely.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Manchester United will face competition from Union Berlin to sign 29-year-old Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka, who is frustrated with his situation at Bayern Munich. (Teamtalk), external

Meanwhile, United believe they need to make a decision on whether to move for Rosenborg's Sverre Nypan soon to avoid being beaten to the 17-year-old Norwegian midfielder's signature. (Givemesport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Saturday's full gossip column

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

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Having broken records at youth level for Arsenal, it is understandable why Manchester United fans should be "very excited" by teenage talent Chido Obi-Martin.

Scoring 32 goals in 18 Under-18 Premier League games is a spectacular feat, but being able to carry that on? That was the question for 16-year-old Obi-Martin.

But that is exactly what he is doing having already scored four goals in four games since joining the Red Devils' academy in October.

Having had such a successful season last campaign with Arsenal, however, just how have United managed to secure the young talent's services?

"There was a lot of speculation about his future," Jeorge Bird, from Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth, external blog, told BBC Sport.

"Arsenal reportedly offered him a scholarship contract and a professional deal, but I think he just decided that Manchester United is a better opportunity in terms of his development.

"The situation went on for quite a long time but now he has finally signed for United and is playing really well. It could prove to be a good decision for him in the end."

It is not just in academy football that Obi-Martin has caught attention, but on the international stage too.

Eligible to play for Denmark, England and Nigeria, he has spent much of his time at Danish youth levels - scoring 12 goals in 19 games for the under-17s - and was nominated for Uefa's Team of the Tournament at the U17 European Championship in the summer.

So how excited should United fans be by having the youngster among their academy players? "Very," Bird said. "But they might have to be a little bit patient as well.

"He needs to play more for the under-21s first. If he played about 10 games at that level, then he might be ready for the first team.

"Even right now, he could do well as a substitute in cup games, but they will have to show a little bit of patience with him. Next season is more likely to be the time when he is pushing for first-team involvement, but he definitely has a lot of potential."

With current first-team strikers not really firing, incoming boss Ruben Amorim may not have to look too far for a potential answer to that in the future.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

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Aged 16; 6ft2in; 32 goals in 18 games.

Those are just some of the numbers behind 'wonderkid' Chido Obi-Martin, who joined Manchester United's academy in October.

Born in Denmark, the young striker has been causing a stir on social media over the past 12 months after he racked up incredible goalscoring numbers during his 2023-24 season in the Arsenal youth teams.

"He is a really talented player," Jeorge Bird, from Jeorge Bird's Arsenal Youth, external blog, told BBC Sport.

"I watched him quite a few times for the Arsenal academy teams last season and he scored 32 goals for the under-18s, which was a record at that level for the club."

Memorably, Obi-Martin netted 10 times in one game - against Liverpool in a 14-3 win for the under-16s - while he also went on a nine-game scoring streak in the Under-18 Premier League.

"It is outrageous to score that many goals at that level," Bird added.

"You normally get one or two players every few years who score quite a few goals, but no-one normally scores that many.

"At the beginning of the season he wasn't actually scoring that many goals but he just suddenly started to score and was playing with a lot of confidence.

"The way the Arsenal team played last season really suited how he played, which helps, but he just got into the right positions all the time. He knew where to run and was playing with so much confidence.

"This season, Arsenal have found it a bit difficult without him and that shows how well he did."

At over 6ft tall, the soon to be 17-year-old has made his presence felt in more ways than one and Bird feels this has been a benefit to him.

"Some people say he has a major advantage to those around him because he is so tall compared with other players at that level," he said.

"It will be interesting to see when he plays against senior players whether he can still be as prolific, but he has really good qualities.

"He can control the ball really well, he is quite quick and can get into good spaces. He is going to be a really good player but it will interesting to see how he does at a higher level."

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If Ruben Amorim had gone straight into Manchester United off the back of Erik ten Hag's sacking, I would have given him different priorities on his to-do list than what he has now.

After Ruud van Nistelrooy's four games in charge, it is a different conversation with the players. Their confidence is already higher - you can see that in the performances - and that would have been something he would have looked at early on.

One of his first priorities now will be getting to know the players. When a manager first comes in, you can change who you are as a player a little bit in those first few weeks. You want to impress and players and managers are working each other out. But he will know the ones trying to pull the wool over his eyes and the players will know that with him. You must build those relationships early.

Amorim needs to identify the areas of development that these players need, individually and collectively. Have those conversations and find out how players are feeling given the pressure they have been under with results.

However, trying to understand players in a short space of time is difficult and he will be learning about them on the job.

The international break provides an added challenge, particularly with the style of play Amorim has.

For players, the training sessions at clubs during this time are a lot shorter. It is less tactical and more focused on individual stuff so Amorim will not be able to get a lot of his philosophy and ideas across to players.

Manchester United is a massive club and what this does is give the new boss time to see what the place is about.

He will have more time to do that coming in during an international break than he would have done if he came in with back-to-back games straight away.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

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Ruben Amorim says he does not "feel the weight" of being the new Manchester United head coach.

The 39-year-old began his new role on Monday and has been spending time at the training ground getting to know the club, staff and some players during the international break.

He picks up the reins after interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy's short spell came to an end, with the Dutchman bringing some much-needed wins during his four games.

With an impressive CV from his time managing in Portugal, there will be expectation on the former Sporting boss to bring success to Old Trafford.

"You watch on TV and you know that it's big and it's impressive - but when you are here, you can feel it and I think you feel the history," Amorim said in an interview with club media.

"I'm really, really proud to be a Manchester United coach, so it's amazing. It's a real honour to be here."

When told by the interviewer there is a "weight to the place but it does lift you up", the Portuguese added: "That's really funny because I feel very relaxed.

"Maybe because it’s not gameday. When we have a game I'm a different guy, but I really don't feel the weight.

"I'm really excited and I'm quite relaxed. I think I am where I am supposed to be. That's the feeling."

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What can Manchester United fans expect from their new head coach?

BBC World Service has dropped a special Sportsworld podcast to find out more about Ruben Amorim from those who know him best - from his childhood friends to his former colleagues and players.

So who is the former Braga and Sporting manager, what things make him tick, and what could the new era at Old Trafford look like?

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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Ruud van Nistelrooy says Manchester United will "always have a special place in my heart" and has wished them "many more glory days at Old Trafford" after leaving the club.

The former striker had been in interim charge following the sacking of Erik ten Hag in October.

After new boss Ruben Amorim officially took over on Monday, it was confirmed Van Nistelrooy would be leaving his coaching role, having joined Ten Hag's backroom staff in the summer.

During his four matches in charge, the Dutchman oversaw three wins and one draw, including the side's first victory in the Champions League this season.

In a message posted on X, external, Van Nistelrooy said: "To everyone at Manchester United Football Club, in particular the backroom staff, the players and the fans, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible efforts and support.

"It has been a privilege and honour to represent the club as a player, coach and manager, and I will always cherish the memories we have shared together.

"Manchester United will always have a special place in my heart, and I hope there are many more glory days at Old Trafford very soon - not only because I want the club to do well, but because you all deserve it!

"All the best and take care, Ruud."

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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A big moment of immaturity came from Alejandro Garnacho at Old Trafford last weekend. He scored a "banger" - as it is now officially named - but deigned it beneath him to celebrate, as some Manchester United fans have been questioning his input lately.

Clearly he feels he isn't being respected enough for his seven Premier League assists in the past three seasons - his primary job in that position.

Usually, when a young player demands respect, the best course of action is to get rid of the self-important starlet as soon as possible, or at least drop them as a reality check.

In this case, he is still very young and he just needs the skipper - well said Bruno Fernandes post-match - and the new manager to have a sensible word.

And by all means don't celebrate, Alejandro - as long as you continue to deliver more regularly.

A player should never forget that it does come across a bit self-obsessed if he can't share the joy with the fans, who have paid a lot of money to see him.

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Manchester United and Liverpool are monitoring 27-year-old Fulham and USA left-back Antonee Robinson. (Football Insider), external

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With only four points separating third and 13th, we do not normally see that many teams in this type of mini league.

Normally, you might have the teams in a pack around the top four or five and then another pack underneath that with your relegation pack as well, so the fact there is so many teams in it at this stage is making it different.

From the mental side of competing in that, you look at Manchester United who have struggled so much this season and are sitting 13th. If they get a win, it can shoot them right up the table. They are in a position to think they are only a few points off the Champions League places' and that is good.

But it can work both ways.

Knowing the points are so close can keep you strong, keep you competing and have that competitiveness because you know a result can jump you up. But on the flipside, you could easily go from seventh down to 13th in one weekend or from third down to 10th.

How you deal with it depends on the manager, the players and also the psychologists within the group. Psychology in sport is really important for whether you see the situation as a positive or a negative.

Whether it stays like this all season is hard to say as there have been some really inconsistent performances and results. The most consistent team is the one sitting at the top.

I do not know what the rest of the campaign has in store for these sides because all the teams seem to be able to take points off each other this season.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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Manchester United are proof of what happens to the mighty when they start looking older - or just less streetwise.

The once-frightening aura of those red shirts disappeared a long time ago. Teams and players are no longer scared of United or Old Trafford.

‌It was apparent from day one this season. United may have beaten Fulham and drawn with Crystal Palace at home in those early weeks, but neither looked in any way intimidated.

‌The big news for the big beasts is that you can recreate this fear factor fairly quickly. Three or four big wins in a row and suddenly everyone will dismiss those difficult times as just a bump in the road that is disappearing in the rearview mirror.

‌Ruud van Nistelrooy has left a nice little four-game legacy for Ruben Amorim to exploit. They are in 13th position in the Premier League, so is it too much to ask for the Portuguese manager to turn it around and make top four this season?

‌No, because the position alone is hugely misleading. Between third and 13th, there is a grand total of four points.

Any one of those could still easily make the top four, including United, especially if they can somehow revive that aura and lose the reputation of once-great but now faded bloated giants.

Over to you, Ruben.

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Manchester United and Arsenal are battling to sign former Manchester City winger Leroy Sane from Bayern Munich, with the 28-year-old Germany international out of contract next summer. (Bild - in German, subscription required), external

Meanwhile, Manchester United are keen on 21-year-old Bournemouth and Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez. (Football Transfers), external

Finally, the Red Devils are considering a January transfer move for 21-year-old Dinamo Zagreb and Croatia midfielder Martin Baturina, who has also been watched by Barcelona and Atletico Madrid. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has praised new head coach Ruben Amorim for the "really, really special" job he did at Sporting, and is confident the 39-year-old is going to bring the Red Devils "success".

Fernandes, who played for Sporting before Amorim took charge, told MUTV: "Sometimes a person can change the energy of a space, if it's the right moment.

"We hope this is the right moment for him to come and bring his energy, qualities and his knowledge of football, because he's done something really, really special at Sporting.

"If someone doubts that, it's about looking at the past. Sporting were about 20 years without winning the league and he got back to win the league, and won it two times in four years with a really youthful team, in a moment of change.

"Hopefully he can do the same here for and it's going to be a successful time for all of us."

"He's a really smart manager who has done really good things for Sporting tactically - it's really good, what I've seen from the games for Sporting."

Amorim's reign will begin with a run of five games in the space of 13 days. First up is a trip to Portman Road to face Ipswich, and Fernandes knows it will not be easy for his new boss to hit the ground running.

"Obviously, you can't bring or transform what he has done at Sporting into here, because you have different players and ways of play and everything," Fernandes added.

"I'm pretty sure that the idea of football he has - independent of the way he wants to play - is going to be a good one and it's going to bring us success."