Who is Ruben Amorim and what to expect from his Manchester United side

On Friday, Sporting Lisbon crushed Estrela Amadora 5-1 in a Primeira Liga Matchday 10 clash. Even before kickoff, the entire stadium gave Sporting’s head coach Rúben Amorim a standing ovation, as it’s now official that he’ll be heading to England to manage Manchester United. His contract with the Red Devils starts on November 11, leaving him only two more games with Sporting—against Manchester City in the Champions League and Braga in the Primeira Liga.

But what makes Amorim so special, so beloved by Sporting fans, and highly sought after by Europe’s top clubs?

Before joining Sporting, Amorim coached Braga, leading the team to an impressive record in 13 matches—10 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. Braga’s performance left Sporting’s management so impressed that they paid his release clause to bring him in.

Portuguese television interviewed Sporting fans about Amorim’s departure, and many were brought to tears. It’s no wonder why—Amorim restored Sporting to the top of Portuguese football.

Before this 39-year-old coach arrived, Sporting hadn’t won the Primeira Liga since the 2001/02 season. Under Amorim, they claimed the title twice—first in 2020/21 and then in 2023/24.

There’s little doubt that if he’d stayed, Amorim would be on track to claim a third title. This season, Sporting’s numbers in the Primeira Liga are monstrous: 10 wins in 10 games, 35 goals scored, and only 3 conceded.

In the Champions League, Sporting has also been dominant. They’ve defeated Lille (2-0) and Sturm Graz (2-0) and drew against PSV.

Looking at Amorim’s entire tenure with Sporting, one unique statistic stands out. Under his leadership, Sporting has won 77% of their matches, the highest win rate among all managers in Europe’s top 10 leagues since 2020.

It seems that United has found an ideal match in Amorim. Here’s why.

Amorim’s Adaptability

Amorim’s coaching career is relatively short, yet he’s already demonstrated an ability to adapt his style to suit the resources at hand.

In his first two seasons, Sporting was a fast, vertical team that exploited open spaces without lingering on the ball. But in the last two years, under Amorim, Sporting evolved into a possession-based side, averaging 65.2% possession. This more patient, buildup play often requires over 20 passes to create a shot on target.

In European competitions, however, Sporting has often reverted to a more direct approach, allowing opponents more possession.

What Will Manchester United Look Like Under Amorim?

To understand Amorim’s potential impact at United, one must first recognize his preference for a 3-4-3 formation, which he used in every match with Sporting.

In this setup, wingbacks may drop into defense when necessary, while against more defensive opponents, they’ll push higher up the field.

Amorim’s system also requires one of the central midfielders to be a classic defensive midfielder. United has a ready fit for this role in Manuel Ugarte, who filled the same position under Amorim at Sporting.

However, Amorim may face some challenges at United:

Center-back injuries: Last season, Erik ten Hag struggled to field two fit center-backs, and Amorim’s system demands at least three. In certain cases, Casemiro may have to fill in as a center-back.

Left-sided wingback: Amorim will need a player with the stamina to cover the left side as effectively as Mazraoui did for him. Diogo Dalot could fill this role situationally, but stylistically, Tyrell Malacia would be a better fit.

Bruno Fernandes, who briefly played under Amorim at Sporting, will likely thrive in this system. Under Amorim, Sporting’s Pedro Gonçalves operated as a free-roaming playmaker behind the striker, a role Fernandes could excel in at United.

Amorim’s arrival might also bring out the best in Rasmus Højlund, who shares a playing style with Sporting’s top scorer, Viktor Gyökeres, whom Amorim transformed into a star.

It’s also worth noting that Amorim doesn’t rely heavily on high pressing. His approach without the ball is more akin to Thomas Tuchel’s teams, focusing on compactness and balance over relentless pressing.

Given the physicality of the Premier League, Amorim might initially adopt a more cautious approach with United, much like his first seasons at Sporting.

Conclusion

United has acquired a successful manager skilled in adapting to complex situations and changing tactics based on the opponent. It’s hard to imagine a better fit for the Red Devils than Amorim. Currently sitting in 13th place in the Premier League, United urgently needs a turnaround.

INEOS has made a smart move, but now they must create the right environment for their new coach.