There are very few jobs more demanding than the job of a Manchester United manager in the world. The hot seat expects a coach to be on top of their game every single second. Being the most successful side in the Premier League, it is the minimum any Manchester United manager can expect. Especially, with the club struggling now, every coach is seen as a potential Messiah. Can the 40-year-old Ruben Amorim become the Manchester United manager to turn their fortune around?
The Red Devils had many legends manage them. None bigger than Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Matt Busby, who not only were Manchester United football managers, but also great contributors to the game itself. Being a Manchester United coach requires them to lead not only eleven players on the pitch but also millions of fans worldwide harmoniously. The club tumbled recently after Sir Alex retired. Multiple Manchester United managers came and went, but success was rare. Ruben Amorim was hired in that regard thanks to his better record in Portugal. The young tactician will be under tremendous pressure to deliver as a Manchester United manager to find himself on the best Manchester United managers list.
Ruben Filipe Marques Amorim was a former Portuguese international and the current Manchester United manager. Amorim was a midfielder during his playing days. He is a three-time league winner with Benfica after playing an important role with his goals and tackling. He also won a Portuguese league cup with Braga as a player on loan. At the top of his game, he even appeared for Portugal at two World Cup finals in 2010 and 2014. A complete cruciate ligament tear forced him to retire at a young age of 32.
Ruben Amorim immediately turned to coaching due to his love for the game. After earning a coaching license from the Lisbon Football Association, he attended internships with Jose Mourinho. He got his first managerial breakthrough at Portuguese third division side Casa Pia. Amorim fielded a back three for the first time at the club and struck with it ever since. He resigned and took over Braga as their reserve team’s manager.
However, he was quickly promoted to the first-team manager role. Amorim led them to their first trophy in four years when he won the domestic league cup final against Porto. He won the trophy as a player and a manager for the same club. His exploits earned him a move to Sporting. He was pried away to become the third-most expensive managerial transfer despite having only two years of top-flight experience.
What followed at Sporting was incredible as Amorim transformed the club. With a clear plan and tactical identity, he imbued youth into the team and made them a free-scoring side. Sporting won their first league title in 19 years in the 2020/21 season under Amorim. His wingbacks and strikers excelled as his defenders became expert passers. After a couple of mixed seasons in the league, he got them a league title yet again in 2024.
Manchester United managers list was constantly changing after Sir Alex retired. Although three-at-the-back formations rarely succeeded in the Premier League, barring Thomas Tuchel’s and Antonio Conte’s experienced systems, Manchester United took a punt with Ruben Amorim. He arrived in November 2024 after Ten Hag was sacked. The Manchester United manager fielded his usual 3-4-2-1 in the majority of his games. It suited a few players like Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, and Harry Maguire. But the attackers, especially wingers, struggled as they were asked to play closer to the goal and playmaker.
Amorim warned that things could get worse before the season ended, and it did get worse as they lost badly at home and away. United finished 15th as they endured their poorest Premier League season ever. His reluctance to change formation earned him some criticism as well. However, the coach promised that if he got a full transfer window to mould his squad and propagate his tactics, he could succeed.
Currently, Manchester United has signed two key forwards in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, to address this issue. Amorim also needs a striker and a top midfielder to implement his quick short passes and launch electric counters. The upcoming season will be crucial to see if Amorim is finally the promised Manchester United football manager or just another false dawn in the post-Sir Alex era.
-1753785977429.webp "Which striker should Manchester United sign - Ollie Watkins or Benjamin Sesko?")
