Analysing Ruben Amorim’s first words as Manchester United head coach

Ruben Amorim’s first words as Manchester United head coach came as he strolled the Old Trafford pitch in an interview with the club’s media channel. He spoke of understanding the “massive challenge” in front of him, but feeling “relaxed” and “at home” at the same time.

He explained how there should not be excessive attention on his 3-4-3 system, his connection with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth, and Jason Wilcox, and why Cristiano Ronaldo once called him a poet.

Received wisdom says 7pm on a Friday is usually a good time to sneak out bad news but United doubtless believe the footage of Amorim — released on MUTV at that time — will override convention and grab attention.

Here are five key quotes and an analysis of their wider context.

The latest ‘special one’

“All the people are hungry for success and this is the place I want to be. Also because of that, because you can be part of something special, not just one more. And that is something that I really like.”

Amorim has drawn comparisons with Jose Mourinho for his strong rhetoric — and a working relationship — but the younger Portuguese manager, 39, is not about to call himself a “special one” as Mourinho did on his arrival at Chelsea in 2004.

He is however tapping into the idea that he can be an agent of change in United returning to a mythical status. He has already said he likes coming into United at a time when there is much work to do because he has licence to sculpt the club as he did Sporting Lisbon, who had failed to win the Portuguese title in 19 years. That particular clock is ticking at 11 years for United.

Amorim does not mention Manchester City but United’s local rivals are there between the lines. Taking over from Pep Guardiola would have meant a task of continuing the conveyor belt of Premier League trophies. Amorim’s good friend Hugo Viana, the director of football who is swapping Sporting for City in the summer, was allegedly primed to place Amorim at the top of his list to succeed Guardiola. But the thinking is Guardiola will now continue on past 2025. Amorim is instead relishing taking position on the red half of the divide.

Bonding with the hierarchy

“I feel the connection with the people in the club and that is very important for me because I want to work with people that I like. Of course I have to say the names. Even Sir Jim and Sir Dave, but especially Omar, Dan and Jason. I felt a connection and I felt we are in the same moment. We want to do something special in the special club. That was a key point.”

Amorim bringing up Ratcliffe and Brailsford, the INEOS director of sport, himself seems telling. Both were both involved in the hiring process and it can be confirmed United’s billionaire co-owner met Amorim before his appointment as successor to Erik ten Hag. Ratcliffe has a key say on football decisions.

Berrada, United’s chief executive, was a pivotal figure in Amorim’s arrival. He was the first one to greet Amorim at Carrington on Monday in photographs released by United, with Ashworth, the sporting director, and technical director Wilcox also full of smiles. As things stand, none of the football leadership team is expected to speak at Amorim’s unveiling however, so we are left with the new arrival providing insight into their thinking. He is firm in his mind he was first choice for the role.

“When Manchester United talked to me, Omar, they told me about their plans and you get excited,” Amorim told MUTV. “It’s a real honour because I was the first choice to start that path. It’s a great responsibility. But you feel honoured to be part of that. Manchester United is the engine of the Premier League.”

People not systems

“A lot of people now talk about the 3-4-3 and the 4-3-3 and all that stuff. But when I think as a player or as a team-mate of Manchester United, it is not a system of formation, it’s the character of the players, the way they see the club. We have to focus on that before the everything of how we play, how we press.

“The most important thing for me is to create the principles, the identity and the character that we had in the past. We know that we need time, but we have to win time. To win time is to win games. But the most important thing for me is identity.

“So since day one we will start with our identity. Of course we are going to prepare the games, but we will focus a lot in our game model. How to play, how to press, these small things, small details. You cannot go 100 per cent on every detail because it will be confusing for the players. So if I have to say one thing, my main goal, my first goal, is identity.”

Amorim throwing the focus on the quality and personality of his players, rather than the formation they will line up in, echoes the kind of thing Ten Hag said. It has merit. Finding the right blend within players has been lacking in the recruitment since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in May 2013. Amorim is willing to reflect on that heritage.

He also seems aware that this group has struggled to adopt some of the finer technical points Ten Hag tried to instil. Ten Hag’s approach was to drill down further through video meetings and repetition. Amorim is suggesting he will take a lighter touch, at least to start.

Backing youth will thrill Ratcliffe

“I don’t want to say that we need time because we are a young team. They are prepared to cope with the demands of playing for Manchester United. They should be because they are here. We have to start since day one without fear, without thinking that they are not used to playing like this. This is not on my mind. They will start on the first day with our idea, no matter what. That’s the goal.”

Amorim’s answer was in response to Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad, Leny Yoro, and Rasmus Hojlund being listed as young players he could build a team around. The eldest of that group is the 22-year-old Amad, who looks like he might thrive in one of the No 10 roles in Amorim’s system.

Amorim accepting the expectation is there even with a youthful team should be music to the ears of Ratcliffe, who is in a hurry for success.

Amad is tipped to shine under Amorim (Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Amorim’s preference for a back-three formation does raise the question of whether United’s academy teams will switch from their 4-2-3-1, as well as recruitment at that level. Amorim has a good record of developing talent. In the Sporting team, he brought through centre-back Goncalo Inacio, now 23, and wing-back Geovany Quenda, 17.

He does think seeing his style immediately will be difficult. “It’s hard to say. I want to say beautiful things to you, but I’m really honest. What I can say is that I think you will see an idea. You will see a positioning. You will see something that we want to reach that kind of level. But we have to know that it’s like two trainings before the first match. This is the best league in in the world. But if I have to say something to you, you will see an idea. This I can guarantee.”

Poetic licence

“It’s a funny thing because I like to speak, not too much, but when I speak, I speak from the heart. I think the people feel that it was something just to have fun.”

Amorim was reflecting on the time Ronaldo, United’s former legendary player, called him a poet while being his team-mate at international level. Amorim and Ronaldo are 39 and played together for Portugal. Portuguese reporter Marcus Alves told BBC Sport: “Eloquent and outgoing, Amorim is irresistible and dominates the words in such a way that Cristiano Ronaldo used to call him ‘poet’ in the national team.”

Amorim’s way with words was clear at his final game in Braga, when his team came back from 2-0 down to win 4-2. Amorim was submerged by players when his team’s third goal went in, the Sporting fans showed deep affection for him, and even journalists in the press conference expressed thanks for his conduct during his time in charge.

United fans will hope Amorim brings something lyrical to Old Trafford.

(Top photo: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)