10+ things we learnt from Ruben Amorim's first Manchester United press conference

The global football community was looking forward to Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim's first media chat, and he lived up to expectations. The 39-year-old Portuguese, one of football's brightest young managers, revealed important details on his managerial philosophy, club goals, and first impressions of the group at his press conference at Carrington. 

As Amorim gets ready for his first game against Ipswich Town, many hope he will be able to lead United back to the summit. The main themes of discussion during his lengthy 16-minute press conference are outlined below.

 A bigger fish

Amorim started his address by underlining the significant change from his former job at Sporting CP to his present one at Manchester United. Emphasising United's international character, he affirmed that the club size exceeded his expectations.

Sporting is a major and prestigious team in Portugal, but Manchester United is inimitably massive and has an enormous global influence.

Amorim also appears to have quickly grasped that his duties go beyond only leading the group. According to him, the position requires regular attendance at meetings, active participation in several departments, and the resolution of issues unrelated only to football. 

This revelation Amorim understands the vastness of the challenge and the dedication needed to overcome it. 

 Faith in squad

The most remarkable feature of Amorim's comments was the consistency with which he believed in his players. Despite the general cynicism and bad press about Manchester United's chances of renaissance in the Premier League, the Manchester United manager is adamant that his side has potential. 

He responded immediately to the criticism, orating that he still believes the players’ ability to recover even if many have doubts about their skills.

Under difficult situations, Amorim is not one to withdraw. Thus, the players' morale will benefit greatly from his confidence, as they have posted, under previous managers, uneven performances. 

 No quick fix

When asked how long it would take to "fix" United, Amorim was practical but cautious. He saw it as a chance to grow rather than as a matter of concern needing solutions. 

He understood the squad's present situation as well as its room for development, especially in terms of tactical understanding, physical conditioning, and possession management. 

At Manchester United, Amorim was clear, though, that winning games and eventually titles was the main goal. He did not mention a precise timeframe, but he underlined the need for continuous improvement, especially as the team adjusts to his strategies. 

 Evolution, not revolution

Amorim chose his words carefully to explain his playing style. He suggested that a "revolution" was not a practical means of bringing about systematic transformation. He underlined that although player roles and formation affect football methods, the game's principles stay the same.

Amorim has been open about the truth that his own football philosophy will not be totally revolutionary. He underlined the need for a strategic shift, acknowledging that it would be impossible to review everything at once. 

This shows that he is considering the needs of the players and is spending time to combine his philosophy. 

 Mourinho connection

José Mourinho, Amorim's mentor in his early career, had a major impact on his growth as a coach. Amorim met Mourinho during an apprenticeship many years ago, and that was a turning point in his managerial growth.

Particularly in England, Amorim and many other Portuguese managers have found motivation in the Premier League successes of Mourinho. But Amorim quickly set himself apart from Mourinho by claiming that the game has changed dramatically since his arrival. 

Amorim sees himself as an aggrandised modern strategist who is more suited to relate to and handle the demands of modern players due to his youth and playing experience compared to Jose's revolutionary ideas. 

 Hands-on transfer approach

One basic tenet of Amorim's management approach is recruiting. The Portuguese underlined the need to work with the sporting director instead of assigning them all the responsibilities. He strongly believes that working together, the analysts, recruitment team, and coaching staff should find players who fit the club's needs and playing style. 

Amorim stated that in order to attract the suitable players, the recruiting process has to be improved, especially in the areas of data and player profiling, before underscoring that while player procurement should be a team effort, the manager ultimately had the last say. 

 Not an impossible job

The frequent turnover of managers since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement has led Manchester United to be referred to as an "impossible job,” and a certain journalist asked Amorim about this. Although he acknowledged that the endeavour was challenging, he did not believe it to be insurmountable. 

He illustrated his point by citing the success of English clubs such as Manchester City and Liverpool, which have achieved long-term success through strategic initiatives. 

Amorim explicitly stated his conviction that Manchester United can reclaim its past glory through consistent development, a well-defined strategy, and patience. 

This serves as an indication that he appears to be unaffected by the strain of expectation, as evidenced by his confidence in his own capabilities and the team. 

 Prioritises small details

Amorim prioritises the minor adjustments that could have a substantial effect from a tactical perspective. The Portuguese emphasised that, in contrast to other managers, he will prioritise the enhancement of the fundamentals, including maintaining possession, the ability to make more informed decisions when the ball is lost, and the improvement of transitions. 

He stated that the team's overall success can be significantly impacted by minor adjustments and that the details are where the rubber meets the road. This implies that Amorim is not interested in achieving immediate success but rather in achieving long-term success through meticulous planning and execution. 

 Mentality shift

Another significant point from Amorim's press conference was the acknowledgement of the mental obstacles encountered by the squad. He acknowledged that players on underperforming or losing teams may rapidly lose confidence in their abilities, the coaching staff, and themselves.

Amorim will endeavour to re-establish the players' confidence in the team and themselves as part of his strategy. The mental and emotional aspects of the game will be equally significant to him as the more technical and tactical ones. 

He intends to re-establish trust in the club and its system by working closely with the players. With this emphasis on self-belief and mindset, a Manchester United team that has appeared unconfident at times appears poised to regain its form. 

 Inadequate but adaptable squad

Amorim acknowledged that the team he assumes responsibility for is inadequately equipped to implement the system he intends to excel at. However, he was unequivocal in his assertion that his philosophy does not necessitate a comprehensive overhaul of the squad. 

Amorim is confident that players can adapt to new roles if they apply themselves and are tactically aware, despite the fact that some may need to do so. He appears to be a pragmatic coach, as evidenced by his capacity to modify his coaching approach to align with the current team while adhering to his principles.

His success at United will be contingent upon his capacity to strike a balance between adhering to his vision and adjusting to the realities of the situation. 

 Long-term vision

Amorim showed awareness that the entire execution of his ideas would require time, despite his faith in the squad's talents. Although he recognised that Manchester United cannot sustain extended periods of defeat, he also recognised that every coach requires time to establish a solid foundation. 

Amorim has demonstrated his understanding of the challenges and requirements of modern football administration through his remarks, despite the fact that his two-and-a-half-year contract is relatively brief in football terms. 

He accepts that he cannot overcome the club's challenges immediately; nonetheless, he feels that he will have the opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of his approach in two years.

 Conclusion: What we learnt from Ruben Amorim's first press conference

Ruben Amorim's inaugural press conference at Manchester United provided an intriguing glimpse into his managerial philosophy. Amorim's coaching style is characterised by a combination of realism and ambition, as evidenced by his emphasis on the importance of trivial details and his confidence in his players. 

His appointment to the club is intriguing due to his commitment to collaboration, teamwork, and a growth mentality, as well as his belief in a gradual process of development. 

Amorim's self-assurance, vision, and attitude suggest that Manchester United may be embarking on a new era under his leadership, despite the obstacles that await them. 

Amorim has the opportunity to be the manager who restores United to its former grandeur, but it will be a difficult task for him to translate his words into action.