Manchester United’s squad are “excited” about the prospect of working under Ruben Amorim and are “optimistic of success” in the future.
The 39-year-old Sporting Lisbon manager was confirmed as the Red Devils’ new head coach following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag last week, with United’s dismal start to the season proving fatal for the Dutchman.
There was widespread positivity amongst the Old Trafford faithful at the appointment given Amorim’s excellent track record in Portugal.
However, Sporting’s emphatic victory over local rivals Manchester City on Tuesday in the Champions League, emerging as 4-1 winners, has sent this excitement into overdrive.
And now it’s been revealed these feelings are shared in the United dressing room.
The Manchester Evening News reveals the players are “excited about the imminent arrival” of Amorim with dressing room sources contending United’s squad are “impressed” by his work in Lisbon.
These sources describe the players as “optimistic of having a successful season” – a far cry from the feelings around the club just a few weeks ago under Ten Hag.
In the Dutchman’s place, Ruud van Nistelrooy has taken over as interim manager. The former striker is a firm fan favourite and Old Trafford has not been shy in making its feelings known over Van Nistelrooy while he’s been stationed on the touchline in the last three matches.
And, again, this appears to be a sentiment shared by the United dressing room.
Manchester Evening News’ report reveals the players have also been “impressed” by Van Nistelrooy with a well-placed source stating he has been “excellent” in this period of uncertainty for the squad.
The “majority” of the United dressing room are described as having “respected” Ten Hag but “felt like it was in everyone’s best interest for a change.” Amorim, with his uncompromising approach and radical three-at-the-back system, will certainly provide this ‘change’.
It just remains to be seen whether the “excellent” Van Nistelrooy will be a part of the Portuguese coach’s staff, given the impression he’s made in the United dressing room, as well as the special place he holds in fans’ hearts.
Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
