´Right guy at the right time´ – Amorim confident of changing Man Utd´s fortunes

Ruben Amorim believes he is the “right guy at the right time” to turn Manchester United’s fortunes around.

The 39-year-old signed a two-and-a-half-year deal earlier this month to keep him at Old Trafford until June 2027, replacing Erik ten Hag after he was sacked in October.

Amorim is the sixth permanent United manager since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, having left Sporting CP to take charge during the international break.

He won two Primeira Liga titles as Sporting head coach as well as two Taca da Liga trophies, while he led the club to a perfect start in the league this season, winning all 11 of their games.

United sit 13th in the Premier League table ahead of their trip to Ipswich Town on 15 points, though they are just four points behind Chelsea in third.

Amorim recognised the size of the task ahead of him in Manchester but is confident he can make a change.

“I’m a little bit of a dreamer and I believe in myself, and I believe in the club,” he said during his first press conference.

“I think we have the same idea, the same mindset and that can help.

Ipswich Town.
Portman Road.
16:30 GMT.

We will be there.#MUFC pic.twitter.com/0eHCSDYmhE

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 21, 2024

“I truly believe in the players; I know you don’t believe a lot, but I do. I want to try new things. You guys don’t think it’s possible, I do.

“Call me naive, but I believe I am the right guy at the right time. I truly believe I am the right guy.”

Aged 39 years and 302 days, Amorim will be the youngest to take charge of his first match for the Red Devils since Wilf McGuinness in August 1969 (31y 288d).

United have won just four of their 11 league games so far this season, and have struggled in front of goal, netting just 12 times so far.

Expected to implement his favoured 3-4-3 formation, Amorim admitted it would take time for the club to adapt and has asked for patience as the players get used to his tactics.

“I know at Manchester United we have to win games. We need a lot of time because it’s a tough league, we have to improve a lot to try to win the title,” he added.

“We have to change the physical aspect of the team. I don’t know how long it will take.”