Manchester United have acted quickly to replace Erik ten Hag as manager, announcing Friday the hiring of Sporting Lisbon manager Ruben Amorim.
[ MORE: Biggest questions for Ruben Amorim at Man Utd ]
The announcement ends a week of speculation following the firing of Ten Hag on Monday.
Amorim signed a deal through the 2026-27 season, and will be bringing his coaching staff with him from Lisbon.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will oversee United’s fixtures until November 11, when Amorim leaves Lisbon prior to the November international break.
Ruben Amorim new Man United manager: Coaching resume, football style and tactics, projected lineup, trophies, contract, age
Manchester United statement on new manager Ruben Amorim
(From manutd.com)
“Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Ruben Amorim as Head Coach of the men’s first team, subject to work visa requirements.
“He will join until June 2027 with a club option of an additional year, once he has fulfilled his obligations to his current club. He will join Manchester United on Monday 11 November.
“Ruben is one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football. Highly decorated as both a player and coach, his titles include winning the Primeira Liga twice in Portugal with Sporting CP; the first of which was the club’s first title in 19 years.
“Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue to take charge of the team until Ruben joins.”
Who is Ruben Amorim? Coaching resume, player career, age, trophies
Amorim, 39, was a reported finalist for Liverpool job and also was mentioned as a long-term target of Manchester City should Pep Guardiola leave the club.
Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte starred for Amorim at Sporting before moving to PSG, while Bruno Fernandes left Sporting for Manchester four months before Amorim’s appointment.
Last April, the Portuguese denied reports that he was set for the Anfield hot seat, saying that was not even an interview with Liverpool let alone an agreement.
Amorim earned 14 caps for Portugal during a playing career that saw him turn out for Belenenses, Benfica, Braga, and Qatari club Al-Wakrah.
He led Braga to the Portuguese League Cup in 2019-20 before moving to Sporting, where he’s twice won the league including last season and twice claimed the Portuguese League Cup.
Sporting are 9-0-0 to start this season and are 1-1-1 in the Europa League.
What formation does Ruben Amorim play? Style, tactics
Ruben Amorim has favored a 3-4-3 during his time at Sporting Lisbon, and it’s worked well for the 39-year-old who could be helped in implementing that plan by former star midfielder Manuel Ugarte, an expensive purchase for Manchester United this summer.
His back three have all been excellent ball movers, and 23-year-old Goncalo Inacio is the best of the bunch (Ousmane Diomande’s pretty good, too, and just 20). Who would be the odd man out in a United back three? Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt seem nailed-on starters, and with Leny Yoro still injured the Red Devils would have Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, or even Casemiro as options.
Sporting’s front three is also excellent, as target man Viktor Gyokeres — a former Coventry City high-flyer — thrives on the playmaking of former Barca and Wolves winger Francisco Trincao and 26-year-old left winger Pedro Goncalves. He’s also an excellent creator himself.
Gyokeres is more of a volume shooter than Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, but the latter two have better passing stats.
The midfield brings the biggest questions, because Bruno Fernandes has been a central piece during his entire United career and doesn’t quite fit in a central midfield duo with Ugarte. A 3-4-3 could also keep Kobbie Mainoo on the bench if Fernandes is involved, though perhaps Fernandes could be part of a two with Marcus Rashford in a 3-4-2-1.
But move him to right wing or left wing and you’re leaving Alejandro Garnacho or Marcus Rashford out of the fray. Mason Mount would also become a winger.
How could Ruben Amorim line up this Manchester United?
Andre Onana
Victor Lindelof — Matthijs de Ligt — Lisandro Martinez
Diogo Dalot — Manuel Ugarte — Kobbie Mainoo — Noussair Mazraoui
Bruno Fernandes — Marcus Rashford
Joshua Zirkzee
When healthy, there are obviously several options here.
Rasmus Hojlund could start over Joshua Zirkzee, while Mason Mount could be a more natural inverted winger than Rashford. Could Alejandro Garnacho fit that role?
Casemiro could feature as a center back over Lindelof, while Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are also back three options.
What will be Ruben Amorim’s first Manchester United match?
Ruud van Nistelrooy will oversee United’s next three matches as Amorim sees Sporting Lisbon to the international break.
The Dutchman will not leave Old Trafford for his interim spell in charge of United. He guided the Red Devils to a 5-2 win over Leicester City in the League Cup, and his United will host Chelsea (Premier League), PAOK (Europa League), and Leicester City (PL) prior to the international break.
Amorim’s first Manchester United match will be November 24 at Ipswich Town, followed by his Old Trafford debut at home to Bodo/Glimt on November 28. Premier League matches with Everton, Arsenal, and Nottingham Forest follow, as Amorim has a good chance to get off to a strong start.
