Summary:
- Ruben Amorim attended his first training session as Manchester United’s new head coach on Monday.
- Next in line is his first Premier League challenge against Ipswich Town on Sunday.
- The 39-year-old is familiarizing with his resources and getting ready to put his plans for the club into practice.
Manchester United are counting on Ruben Amorim‘s ability to form top-tier strikers as he steps into his new role as head coach.
His first Premier League challenge is just around the corner, with United set to face Ipswich Town away this weekend.
Appointed earlier this month to succeed Erik ten Hag who was sacked after losing controversially to West Ham, Amorim has quickly settled in at the club’s training base in Carrington.
His first official training session took place on Monday, but due to the ongoing international break, only a small group of players participated.
High intensity ⚡️
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 18, 2024
Maximum effort 👊#MUFC pic.twitter.com/jrCwRD17Pl
As the week unfolds, more United squad members will go back to training, allowing Amorim to get a clearer sense of his resources and begin implementing his vision for the team.
United, Confident in Amorim’s Skills to Cultivate Goal-Scorers
The 39-year-old arrives at United after a successful four-year tenure at Sporting CP, where he made headlines by guiding the team to their first Primeira Liga title in 19 years last season.
Key to that victory was Viktor Gyökeres, who thrived under Amorim’s guidance, netting 43 goals in all competitions, including 29 in the league.
Gyökeres’ rise under Amorim’s mentorship has made him one of Europe’s most sought-after forwards.
Undoubtedly, this is a transformation that United hopes to see mirrored with their current attacking options.
Leading that charge is Rasmus Højlund, a Danish striker who has struggled to consistently find the net this season.
Since his £72 million transfer from Atalanta in 2023, Højlund has only scored twice this term.
Despite the slow start, United remains confident in his long-term potential. They are hopeful that Amorim’s ability to cultivate prolific goal-scorers can inspire a similar turnaround in Højlund’s form.
Leaning on Club Veterans
As Amorim adapts to life in Manchester, he is expected to lean heavily on the club’s seasoned players to ensure a smooth transition.
For instance, captain Bruno Fernandes, who is well familiar with the intricacies of Premier League football, will represent a key figure in conveying Amorim’s tactical vision to the squad.
This leadership will not only aid Amorim’s settling-in period but is also seen as crucial to Højlund’s development as the dynamic striker United believes he can become.
Preparing for January’s Transfers
Off the pitch, United are already gearing up for the January transfer window, eyeing several promising talents.
One such target is 17-year-old Geovany Quenda from Sporting Lisbon. Reports suggest that United are preparing a bid worth over €40 million (£33.5 million) for him, but Sporting is likely to push for a figure nearer to the player’s €100 million (£83 million) release clause.
United may also face competition from other top English clubs, including Chelsea and Newcastle.
Another name on United’s radar is Yunus Akgün. The Turkish forward who caught Amorim’s attention during his Sporting days has been making waves at Galatasaray this season.
He scored six goals and provided two assists in his 16 appearances. Turkish sources say United will keep their eyes on Akgün’s progress as weigh their options ahead of January’s transfer window.
Sunday’s game against Ipswich Town will be Amorim’s first test in English football and the team’s return to action after the November international break.
Amorim is set to hold his first press conference as United’s manager before the game.