Here we go again!
A new era has begun again at United as our latest manager; sorry head coach, is appointed to change the fortunes of the spluttering giant. The latest choice with the hard task of returning United to their former glory is Portuguese Ruben Amorim from Sporting Lisbon. A name that until a few weeks ago not many fans here in the UK knew too much about, but after his name was mentioned as a possible successor to Erik ten Hag then this inevitably changed and we have all learnt about this up and coming coach including his character, tactics, success and shoe size. It all sounds like a match made in heaven judging by the success he brought another sleeping giant, Sporting Lisbon. But hang on a minute, haven’t we heard all this before, I seem to remember there was a similar narrative when ten Hag was appointed and look what happened to him.
As regards his appointment, I personally feel that the club has handled the situation in the right way. I suppose ten Hag deserved another chance after what he achieved last season, but clearly enough was enough and the club showed the right aggressive attitude to change so early in the season and pursued their man with an ultimatum of join now or never. So many names were branded about before the announcement and these included, Potter, Southgate, Xavi, Uncle Tom Cobley and all, but in the end the United hierarchy went for the man with potential, Ruben Amorim, for which I give them credit. Only time will tell if they have chosen the right candidate, but so far I like what I’ve seen and heard and feel that it is a positive move and one that will give the fans something to be excited about once again, god knows we need it, especially if the team can adapt quickly to his style of play and tactics.
Amorim certainly has the credentials, and it seems he is the complete package to make a successful transition from his country to ours. He is young at 39 years old, but has certainly experienced success at Braga and Sporting in a short space of time. He has a good command of English, and he does seem to be at ease with the press, something ten Hag wasn’t, and he also possesses more charismatic charm then ten Hag ever had which will endear him to the fans and players, but does he have the ability to get the best out of the current crop of players at his disposal? Or is it going to be next season after he has had time, and two transfer windows, to build a side that can adapt to his system of play? This is an interesting question.
So, let’s not get carried away with the hype and give the new guy time to adjust and get his feet under the table by not expecting too much from this season, a season where we are playing catch up in the league already!
There are two trains of thought about what his vision should be for this season. The first is to ignore the cups on offer and push for as higher place finish in the league as possible hoping for a miracle of a top four finish. The second is do what ten Hag did and win a trophy at all costs so as to finish with something to show for his effort in his debut season. My thoughts would be to utilise the best players at his disposal and push for a top four place. Impossible after the start we’ve had you might say, but it’s not out of reach. If Amorim manages to get a run together out his current squad then why not, he did the same when taking over at Sporting. If we do end up with silverware then that will be an added bonus, but not the be all and end all. If we win the Europa League then that could serve as a pathway to the Champions League, but to be honest there are much better teams than United in that competition, as we’ve already seen. All this means the main focus has to be on the league position.
So there we have it a new era is ahead of us and one that I hope will eventually put us back at the top where we belong, challenging for the top honours once again. On a side note I would like to thank Ruud van Nistelrooy for his efforts as interim manager. At no point did he let the fans down, and it’s a shame that he will no longer be with the club, but hey, never say never!
Until the next time.
Miles Dunton.
