Rubén Amorim warned his players on Friday night that they must play “from the first day without fear”, as he aspires to be the man who turns Manchester United around.
In his first interview as Manchester United manager, Amorim spoke of the “connection” he already feels with the club and his determination to “do something special at a special club.”
But, above all, he promised United fans that he will imprint his identity on this team from day one, as long as his players fully accept his philosophy.
“We know it will take time and we will try to gain time with the games,” he said.
“But we have to start from the first day without fear, without thinking that (the players) are not used to playing like this. This is not in my mind.
‘They will start the first day with our idea, no matter what. That’s the goal.’
Rubén Amorim gave his first interview as the new Manchester United coach on Friday
Amorim spoke to the club’s media about the ‘great challenge’ that awaits him and his new team
The 39-year-old has already toured Old Trafford where he surprised fans on Wednesday.
Amorim, who surprised fans on a tour of Old Trafford on Wednesday, joins a team buoyed by Ruud van Nistelrooy’s four games, but a team that is squatting after a poor start that leaves them 13th in the standings. First division table.
‘I know it’s going to be difficult. “I know it’s a huge challenge, but I feel quite relaxed,” Amorim told the club’s internal media.
‘I feel at home and I think that’s important at first. So I’m very excited.
‘I know that the coach or head coach is very important in the club because you have the engine of the club in your hands. I understand.
‘But I want to be part of something. I don’t want to be just in charge. So I want everyone to be together. It will be more fun and much easier to achieve your goals.”
Amorim and his coaching staff are still waiting for their visas to be ratified before taking charge of training next week, but he has already made his presence known at Carrington.
United are already 13 points behind league leaders Liverpool but just four points behind Arsenal in fourth place and Amorim is eager to install a winning culture again in a team that lost its way in the final months of the reign by Erik ten Hag.
‘The most important thing for me is identity. So from day one we will start with our identity,’ he stated.
Amorim is eager to install a winning culture in a team that lost its way under Erik ten Hag.
Bruno Fernandes and company may be 13 points behind leaders Liverpool, but they are just four behind fourth-place Arsenal.
‘Of course we are going to prepare for the matches, but we will focus a lot on our game model. How to play, how to press, these little things, little details. You can’t go 100% on every detail because it will be confusing for the players. So if I have to say one thing, my main goal, my first goal, is identity.’
On his tour of Old Trafford he learned about the Munich air disaster and how the club reacted, which really left a lasting impression on Amorim.
“You see the tragedy we have as a club,” he said.
‘So you can understand the story, after the accident, we were European champions. I think it’s important to bring this kind of strength to our team.
“When players come here, they should do the same tour with the same player all the time. I think it’s very important to do that.
“One thing is that you have to feel that this is Manchester United and it is normal. If you go many years without winning, you start to lose that. So you have to be very clear about the message you want to give to the players. So I think we have to make all the players do the same to recover that feeling.”
Meanwhile, the late Van Nistelrooy, whom Amorim decided not to keep on the coaching staff, was magnanimous in response by breaking his silence for the first time since his departure was confirmed on Monday.
Ruud van Nistelrooy was not hired as part of Amorim’s coaching staff after his four-match unbeaten interim spell
Amorim already had the opportunity to meet several of his new players during the international break
“To everyone at Manchester United Football Club, particularly the coaching staff, players and fans. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible efforts and support,” he wrote on social media.
“It has been a privilege and honor to represent the club as a player, coach and manager, and I will always cherish the memories we have shared together.
“Manchester United will always have a special place in my heart and I hope that very soon there will be many more days of glory at Old Trafford, not only because I want the club to do well, but because you all deserve it.” All the best and take care, Ruud.
Rubén Amorim’s full interview is now available for MUTV subscribers