Ruben Amorim, the newly appointed head coach of Manchester United, says his primary focus is Tuesday’s Champions League showdown with Manchester City, where he will lead Sporting for one final time before taking charge at Old Trafford on November 11.
The Portuguese manager was named United’s next head coach on Friday, replacing Erik ten Hag with a contract running through 2027. United, currently languishing in 13th place in the Premier League, hopes Amorim can bring fresh leadership and new ideas.
At a pre-match press conference on Monday, the 39-year-old reflected on his journey with Sporting. “I’ve been through this a few times as a player; it’s hard to explain,” he shared. “I’ll miss it in the future because I was very happy here. I know I’m heading into a more complex environment, but we must keep moving forward.”
Despite the anticipation surrounding his move to United, Amorim insisted his main focus remains on Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash. “Tomorrow, I’m only Sporting’s coach. From the 11th onwards, I’ll be United’s coach,” he stated.
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Currently, Manchester City holds the third spot in the 36-team Champions League table, while Sporting sits in eighth place, with both teams earning seven points from three games. The matchup has drawn particular excitement from United fans, eager to see their future coach’s strategy against their local rivals.
Addressing the hype, Amorim noted, “They are different contexts; for me, it’s just another game against a team from the best league in the world.”
Looking forward to his role at Old Trafford, Amorim acknowledged the initial challenges, especially regarding language barriers. “My communication at the start will be simpler because it’s in English. The players won’t be offended if I say it’s more basic. I conduct some training sessions in English here already,” he added with a light-hearted smile.
As Amorim prepares for his final game with Sporting, he brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to United fans who are eager to see his impact in Manchester’s heated football rivalry.