Amorim lays down law as United begin new chapter

Ruben Amorim was running through Manchester United's recent managerial history.

- RICHARD JOLLY

"The guys who won everything like [Louis] van Gaal and [Jose] Mourinho," he said. "New ones who knew the club inside out like [Ole Gunnar] Solskjaer, and one of the best that there will ever be outside the five strongest leagues was [Erik] ten Hag. You have different type of coaches, the same result.”

That result sometimes involved a cup or two, but never a true title challenge. None ultimately succeeded; not by the standards of what Amorim called a “global” club, “still the best” in England. All of which may have deterred many a manager. Old Trafford, arguably, has been a graveyard for them. Brushing aside the suggestion it has become the impossible job, Amorim instead arrived with a belief that he can end the trend of disappointment, with a confidence that did not come across as arrogance.

It is two decades since another wunderkind of Portuguese coaching anointed himself a “Special One”. Amorim came with a message from Mourinho, an open acknowledgement he is influenced by him, yet differentiating himself from his predecessor. There was charisma with less bravado, a coach positioning himself for the future, not yesterday’s man.

“He was European champion, I’m not European champion,” he said. “But I’m a different guy in a different moment, football nowadays is different and I think am the right person in this moment. I am a young guy, I understand the players.”