Will Amorim bring the glory days back?published at 18:46 1 November
18:46 1 November
Manchester United fans have 10 days to wait until Ruben Amorim takes charge at the club, following the announcement that he will be their new head coach.
On the latest episode of The Football News Show, experts analyse what the Portuguese manager will change at United, how they will play under him and how successful he could be.
'Comes with credentials' but 'would not expect miracles' from Amorimpublished at 18:44 1 November
18:44 1 November
Earlier, we asked for your views on Ruben Amorim's appointment as head coach and what his first tasks will be at Manchester United.
Here are some more of your comments:
Liam: Comes with credentials and an impressive record over a short time. Would not expect miracles. Ten Hag bought some bad players. Rashford seems at times like he does not want to make the effort. Seems to be a problem with player power at Man Utd. If the players do not make the effort, the manager gets sacked. So the new man will have to sort this out first.
Eldon: As a United fan all my life (50 years) I have seen managers come and go so we must be careful not to get carried away with the new man. He certainly plays the attacking football of old United so only time will tell if those glorious days and a fortress at the Theatre of Dreams can be reinstated.
Philip: It's interesting that he is listed as being head coach and not manager with a contract only until 2027. Ineos seem to be playing it smart. It does show credit on his side that he wants some time to finish off with Sporting before he officially takes charge. United just need to start showing a reason for fans to believe.
Who is taking the bigger risk - Amorim or Man Utd?published at 16:25 1 November
16:25 1 November
Ruben Amorim was announced as the new head coach of Manchester United on Friday, beginning his role on Monday 11 November.
The Sporting CP boss has turned their fortunes around in recent years and the reaction on Friday suggests United fans hope he can do the same at Old Trafford.
'A stellar appointment'published at 16:25 1 November
16:25 1 November
Earlier, we asked for your views on the appointment of Ruben Amorim as Manchester United head coach.
Here are some of your comments:
Matthew: For me, it seems players like the centre-backs, Ugarte and the physical Hojlund might benefit from this new potential back-three style. However, part of me fears for Bruno, or wingers like Rashford and Garnacho, as it seems they can't all be integrated into a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1 team, unless Fernandes drops deeper alongside Ugarte. But bring it on!
Chris: A stellar appointment that was well overdue - great pedigree, football intellect and attractive football. This is the inspirational appointment we have been waiting on since Fergie departed.
Mark: I am encouraged by the fact that he has taken an underperforming club and made them into serious winners. Sir Alex Ferguson did something similar with Aberdeen. His man-management and coaching skills will be tested. I wish him well.
'Amorim comes in with a good pedigree'published at 16:25 1 November
16:25 1 November
Former Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live about Ruben Amorim becoming Manchester United head coach: "It is a great club and a great job for him to have a good run at it. Maybe he is the right man but time will tell.
"He comes in with a good pedigree and it is a different type of football. It is different to when Jose Mourinho came over and he became that great manager after success in Europe.
"This is a little bit different. The great thing is he has a great club and fanbase behind him. Hopefully he is a big success because I think everyone needs to see Manchester United up there.
"If he can get a tune out of the players then he will do really well."
'Coach' Amorim, not 'manager'published at 14:49 1 November
14:49 1 November
Simon Stone Chief football news reporter
A couple of things stood out in the statements from Manchester United and Sporting about Ruben Amorim's move to Old Trafford.
Firstly, United named Amorim as "head coach". Just over two years ago, Erik ten Hag came in as manager.
That suggests Amorim will not have the same input on the recruitment side as Ten Hag had - which many might think is not a bad thing.
The other is Sporting confirming United have paid an additional 1m euros to bring in Amorim before the end of the 30-day notice period he was supposed to serve.
United are clearly keen to get their man during the international break. It is expected his coaches will be on board by then too.
What that means for Ruud van Nistelrooy is open to question. The Dutchman made a point yesterday of confirming his intention to return to the assistant manager's role and that he had 18 months left on his contract.
United will have to pay their former striker to leave.
Is Amorim the right man?published at 14:49 1 November
14:49 1 November
Manchester United fans can contemplate a new beginning.
So how are they feeling about Ruben Amorim? The Football News Show found out.
Man Utd 'need someone with character and charisma' - Ferdinandpublished at 13:03 1 November
13:03 1 November
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand believes new head coach Ruben Amorim has the pedigree and charisma to succeed at Old Trafford.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former United defender explained what separates Amorim from his predecessor Erik ten Hag.
"If Pep Guardiola had gone, I think that Amorim would have been someone that City were looking at," said ex-England centre-back Ferdinand.
"There are similarities to what Erik ten Hag was doing at Ajax but what I would say is that Amorim took a club that was on a barren spell.
"They couldn't compete with Porto or Benfica, hadn't got near to winning the league. Disenchanted fanbase. Turmoil behind the scenes. He went in there and immediately turned their fortunes around. He changed their style of football, style of play, and expectations.
"I think the biggest difference between the two (Amorim and Ten Hag), from what I am hearing from people who have played for but also been around, is the character and charisma compared to Erik ten Hag will be the big difference.
"United need someone with the character and charisma to go 'you know what, I don't care what has happened here, I see a player in you, I see a player in you.' You need someone who is going to be like that.
"This is a man who built Manuel Ugarte, who has come to Manchester United. He built a £60m player. He changed the landscape for a football club. That is not easy to do. I don't care what league you are in.
"I spoke to [former United team-mate] Nani the other day and he said 'Rio, the players love him, the players play for him, love him and they respect him'.
"He said Amorim is very straight and direct. Maybe there were inconsistencies in the way Ten Hag disciplined. You have to have clear lines when you approach these topics and players."
'A very complex dressing room at Manchester United'published at 12:52 1 November
12:52 1 November
United We Stand editor and writer for The Athletic, Andy Mitten, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm sure he will get a honeymoon period like the last six or seven United managers in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
"He is very highly rated, like the last managers have been too. He has a very difficult job, a very complex dressing room at Manchester United. The team has underwhelmed.
"[The dressing room is] complex because their ability is not to the same standard as their rivals. The remuneration might be, their social media followings might be, but how many of those Manchester united players might get into a top rival team.
"Confidence is low. They have been starting games playing well but unable to follow through with the manager's instructions. There are some big egos in there from all around the world.
"It is difficult for a manager to go in and wrestle with a team that is underperforming. It is much easier to go into a dressing room that is confident and winning.
"I wish the new manager well. I hope he can do the same job as at Sporting when he found them in a perilous state. But it is about more than just the football at Manchester United.
"The pressures are huge. You are going to get abuse from all around the world every single time you lose a match, the players will as well. Expectations are high because it is such a huge football club, it is Manchester United and there is a lot of pressure that comes with that."
Berrada tried to negotiate Amorim's release datepublished at 12:23 1 November
12:23 1 November
BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live following Manchester United's appointment of Ruben Amorim as their new head coach: "Chief executive Omar Berrada went to Lisbon on Monday to try to negotiate. Amorim has a 30-day release clause in his contract and United were hoping to negotiate Sporting down from that.
"They have managed to do that in some sense but they would have wanted him quicker.
"Sporting wanted him to stay in charge for the Champions League game against Manchester City next Tuesday and a key league game. Sporting want to make a bit of a statement that they are not being pushed around. Manchester United have agreed to this.
"Ruud van Nistelrooy will be in charge for Chelsea on Sunday, the Europa League game against PAOK on Thursday and then Leicester at Old Trafford next Sunday.
"After that, we don't know what will happen to Van Nistelrooy but we do know that Amorim will join as manager."
How might Man Utd line up under Amorim?published at 12:18 1 November
12:18 1 November
Alex Keble Football tactics writer
As Manchester United supporters prepare to welcome a highly-rated and talented coach from outside of Europe's 'big five' leagues who has analysts swooning, they may be worried that it all sounds a bit familiar.
But in Ruben Amorim, they can be certain that in one crucial aspect he won't be anything like Erik ten Hag.
Amorim, who is set to leave Portuguese champions Sporting to move to Old Trafford, is nothing if not a diligent - and decisive - tactical thinker.
From a ruthless press to proactive possession football, from a daring high line to a complexly shape-shifting 3-4-3 formation, the hallmarks of Amorim's football will be etched into muscle memory in detailed training sessions.
And there will be valid concerns. Most prominent will be how a Manchester United squad built in Ten Hag's image will cope with the change to a back three and a tactical system entirely at odds with what came before. It won't suit everyone.
The wing-backs play a crucial attacking role in Amorim teams, stretching the play to allow the wingers to drift infield and get tight to the striker.
Amorim's wingers, who sit just behind the striker to form a box shape with the two central midfielders, tend to be direct runners capable of pressing hard and weaving their way through the lines in the transition.
Amorim is more than willing to alter his tactical set-up to suit the strengths and limitations of his players, suggesting that even those players who don't look like an obvious fit could find a manager willing to bend for now... well apart from three at the back.
When is Amorim's first match in charge?published at 12:10 1 November
12:10 1 November
Ruben Amorim will take charge of Manchester United on 11 November but he will have to wait a little while until his first match as head coach.
There will be almost two weeks between his first day in the role and his first game, which will be away at Ipswich on Sunday, 24 November (16:30 GMT).
The trip to Portman Road will see Amorim take on a side led by former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna, who had been strongly linked with the managerial position at Old Trafford in the summer.
Amorim joins Man Utd - tell us your thoughtspublished at 12:00 1 November
12:00 1 November
Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Ruben Amorim as head coach.
The 39-year-old has signed a deal, subject to visa requirements, until June 2027 with a club option for an additional year.
In a statement,, external the Premier League club said he will join on Monday, 11 November once he has fulfilled his obligations with Sporting.
"Ruben is one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football.
"Highly decorated as both a player and coach, his titles include winning the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting, the first of which was the club's first title in 19 years.
"Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue to take charge of the team until Ruben joins."
The Portuguese's appointment comes following the departure of Erik ten Hag on Monday.
Now that the deal is finally over the line, how do you feel, United fans? Happy with the choice? What are the first decisions he will have to make?
'Physical' and 'old school'published at 10:15 1 November
10:15 1 November
Ben Knapman Fleetwood Town YouTuber
Rhys Bennett came into the club on loan as a promising young defender that we could help develop. It took a few games for him to really get going as this is his first proper loan for getting minutes within a team, but after this period he has looked strong and composed at the back.
He can take a touch and can also play out from the back. The fans are really impressed with him so far but feel there is still lots more to come. Hopefully we can see this after he overcomes his short injury.
He has been caught out a few times defensively, however he’s a young player that will make mistakes and one who will also do a lot right, and I can’t wait to see him develop in this young but exciting team.
He’s a player that looks eager to move forward with the ball but can be direct as well. He’s a really tall and physical type of centre-back and quite old school, but can also play too. It’s still early days but it looks to have been a smart signing!
'Amorim doesn't have expectations he cannot achieve'published at 09:36 1 November
09:36 1 November
Mariana Fernandes Portuguese journalist on BBC Radio 5 Live
Ruben Amorim has a really strong idea of what his football teams look like.
He knows what he wants, what kind of players he wants to bring in, what players he wants alongside him. Sporting didn't have an idea when he came - a project - and he brought one. Right now, the B team plays the same way as the A team.
High-pressure attacking football is one of the most obvious characteristics of Amorim's playing style.
A back three with two very wide players on the wings, a strong midfield, a front three with an offensive reference point, and two players in support with a high-press attack.
They are a very offensive team that only plays to score goals.
They are more concerned with scoring goals than conceding one, but Amorim is also very preoccupied with his back three and the strength of his defence. I think he is always more keen on winning 4-0 and 5-0 than 2-1.
He doesn't have expectations he knows he cannot achieve. If he is going to make this jump to the Premier League - to a club with the support, influence and importance of Manchester United - I think he knows he is ready to make this leap.
He has a close relationship with his players, a kind of dad-like manager.
There are a few players that have a high value in the European market. I think it will be more a case of him getting to Manchester United and seeing what kind of flaws they have.
Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres could be a target. Maybe not in January, but in the summer transfer window.
'Hopefully he will find his feet'published at 09:14 1 November
09:14 1 November
Barry Worthington Wigan Athletic podcaster
On-loan striker Joe Hugill hasn’t exactly hit the ground running at Wigan Athletic so far this season, with just two goals in eight appearances in League One as the Latics not only struggle to create chances but also struggle to convert the ones we do create.
Hugill is playing the lone striker role which is physically demanding, especially against the burly centre-backs in League One. He is at times looking a frustrated figure, with a slim build and having only turned 21 recently. Hugill needs to develop his hold-up play as he is constantly looking to play off the shoulder of defenders and use his pace rather than strength to win his duels.
His two league goals for the Latics came in a 4-0 away win at Bristol Rovers and both were identical, corners swung into the box, the ball bobbling around the six yard area and Joe using his poacher’s instinct to latch on and lash the ball home from close range.
In fairness to Hugill, he has suffered with an ankle injury and been in and out of the side. Hopefully he will get a run in the starting line up over the coming weeks and find his feet with us.
Gossip: Gyokeres could follow Amorimpublished at 08:20 1 November
08:20 1 November
Sporting have reached agreement to allow manager Ruben Amorim to leave the club and join Manchester United during the November international break. (Telegraph - subscription required), external
Manchester United will pay compensation to enable a number of Amorim's backroom staff to join him at Old Trafford. (ESPN), external
Sweden forward Viktor Gyokeres is unhappy with Amorim's decision to leave Sporting, after rejecting offers to leave the club himself this summer. (Ojogo - in Portuguese), external
But Gyokeres is likely to join Amorim at Manchester United, if a deal can be agreed. (Football365), external
Sporting yet to inform Lisbon stock exchange of Amorim exitpublished at 18:15 31 October
18:15 31 October
BBC Sport chief football news reporter Simon Stone, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live with the latest on Manchester United's managerial vacancy:
"It would be very strange if the deal [for Ruben Amorim] collapsed now and I think Manchester United would be scrambling around for a new manager if it did collapse.
"It was interesting because an Ineos key figure, Sir Dave Brailsford, actually said to a couple of fans that the deal was done last night.
"I think there is a difference between a deal being agreed to the point of being done and a deal being signed and completed.
"Once that has happened, I am led to believe that Sporting have to inform the Lisbon stock exchange. That hasn't happened yet, so that allows them to say it isn't done, but I think it will be done.
"As Amorim has said, we should know more once his match has been played on Friday evening.
"It has all got out because Sporting had to put a statement out to the Lisbon stock exchange to say there had been an approach for their manager and Manchester United have indicated they are going to pay the release clause.
"There was no going back from that really - Sporting need to inform the Lisbon stock exchange of anything that affects their club that could have a material impact - and clearly, losing your first-team coach would do that.
"I have been sat in Ruud van Nistelrooy's press conference this afternoon. He has been talking about how he wants to help the club as much as he can and that he is ready to step back into his assistant manager role.
"At the moment, Van Nistelrooy will be in charge for the game against Chelsea on Sunday, we assume their Europa League game against PAOK next Thursday, and the game against Leicester City just before the international break.