“I have been asking ETH to bench him but he refused but Ruben Amorim has decided to bench him and get rid of him during the next transfer window” – Ruben Amorim wasted no time fulfilling Paul Scholes’ long-standing wish during his first week as Manchester United manager. The Portuguese head coach’s swift actions in addressing key issues showcased his decisive leadership, aligning with Scholes’ vision for improving the club’s performance and structure.
Amorim aims for a strong start after diving straight into his duties as Manchester United's head coach, beginning work immediately upon his arrival from the airport.
While some Premier League players were taking advantage of the international break for mid-season holidays, a significant arrival was underway at Manchester Airport on Monday.
Ruben Amorim landed in Manchester less than 24 hours after managing his final match for Sporting CP, arriving from Lisbon with his backroom team. From the airport, he headed directly to Carrington, where Manchester United’s key figures, including Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth, and technical chief Jason Wilcox, warmly greeted him.
Relocating to a new country overnight is a daunting task, but Amorim embraced the challenge without hesitation, fully aware of the demands accompanying his new role. The international break offers him a brief window to settle in, but this respite will likely be his last until March.
These two weeks effectively serve as Amorim’s pre-season at Manchester United—albeit without the usual transfer dealings.
However, visa restrictions prevent him from leading training sessions until next week, splitting this period into time to familiarize himself with the club’s setup and then dive into preparations for his debut match against Ipswich Town on November 24.
Despite the administrative delays, Amorim wasted no time asserting his authority. On his first day, he made a decisive move, informing Ruud van Nistelrooy that his services were no longer required. Van Nistelrooy, who had overseen a successful interim spell, including a 3-0 win over Leicester City, had expressed a willingness to remain as part of the staff. However, Amorim chose to assemble his own team, a decision that aligns with Paul Scholes’ earlier suggestion that Van Nistelrooy is better suited for a managerial role elsewhere.
Van Nistelrooy, a former PSV Eindhoven head coach, is already being linked with potential vacancies, including at Coventry City. Meanwhile, Amorim is focused on uniting his squad under his tactical vision, aiming to hit the ground running as the hectic holiday schedule approaches. This marks the start of a new chapter for Manchester United under the Premier League’s second-youngest manager.
