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    Man Utd’s Ruben Amorim is latest Portuguese manager in Premier League – will he conquer like Mourinho or flop like AVB?

    RUBEN AMORIM is gearing up to lead Man Utd for the first time this season.The ex-Sporting Lisbon boss takes his Red Devils side to Portman Road to face off against Ipswich Town.Ruben Amorim will manage Man Utd for the first time this weekendCredit: GettyAmorim’s idol Jose Mourinho is the most successful Portuguese manager on our shoresCredit: GettyMourinho won the Europa League with Man Utd during his spell at Old TraffordIt promises to be an electric atmosphere for Amorim, who will have to quickly come to terms with the cut and thrust of the Premier League.The 39-year-old tactician is the seventh Portuguese boss to manage on our shores.But will he be a success like Jose Mourinho or a turkey like Andre Villas-Boas.Here’s how the coaches from Portugal compare.Read more football newsJose MourinhoA pioneer for Portuguese coaches, the iconic Mourinho was the first from his homeland to coach on our shores.He conquered Europe with Porto, then took over as Chelsea boss – winning two Premier League titles in a row from 2004 to 2006.He added cups to his resume with the Blues, including an FA Cup in 2016 and two League Cups in 2005 and 2007.After successful spells at Inter Milan and Real Madrid, he returned to Stamford Bridge and one ANOTHER Premier League title in 2015, as well as a League Cup in the same year.Most read in FootballDuring his spell at Man Utd from 2016 to 2018, he won the Europa League.Ruben Amorim tells Man Utd fans to expect ‘really hard moments’ as he admits it’s ‘a different world’ to anything before However, he was trophyless at Tottenham during a 17 month spell – getting sacked days before a League Cup final against Man City in 2021.André Villas-BoasIncredibly, Villas-Boas managed at the same clubs Mourinho did – Chelsea and Spurs.However, there are contrasting differences.Villas-Boas was a disaster at Chelsea from the offset, upsetting club captain John Terry by trying to get him to sit in economy on a plane to a preseason tour, while the youth side sat in first class.He was sacked after just eight months in charge, with Chelsea slipping out of the top four on his watch.Villas-Boas would then resurface in London – taking over at Tottenham from Harry Redknapp.That went pear-shaped 17 months in, when a 6-0 defeat to Man City and a 5-0 home thrashing against Liverpool saw him leave the club by mutual consent.Andre Villas-Boas infuriated players like John Terry during his tenure at ChelseaCredit: GettyVillas-Boas also flopped during his time at TottenhamCredit: EPA/PETER POWELLMarco SilvaSilva is currently having his most successful spell as a coach in England, guiding Fulham quietly above expectations.Before he won over the fans at Craven Cottage, he lost a few at Everton.His first season at Goodison Park saw the Toffees finish in eighth spot in the Prem.However, he couldn’t repeat those heroics in his second season, and following a 5-2 defeat to rivals Liverpool he was fired with the club languishing in 18th place.Prior to that, there was a sticky time at Watford who Everton were forced to pay compensation to following a public courting of Silva.That spell started well, until that possible distraction saw Watford flirt dangerously with relegation.Silva’s first appointment in the Prem came ALL the way back in 2017, when he was hired to save the club from relegation.Despite winning his last four home matches, it wasn’t enough to save the Yorkshire club who were rock-bottom when he took over.At Everton things didn’t go to plan for Marco SilvaCredit: REUTERS/David KleinHowever, Silva has proven to be a success at rejuvenated FulhamCredit: Javier Garcia/REX/ShutterstockNuno Espírito SantoLike Silva, Espírito Santo is a seasoned pro on our shores.After taking over Wolves in 2017, he lead the team to the Premier League when they won the Championship in his first season.Two consecutive seventh-placed finishes, as well as a good Europa League run to the quarter-finals in 2020 secured his legacy.He left the club by mutual consent at the end of the 2020-2021 season, joining Tottenham that summer.However, he was dismissed after just four months in charge – following a 3-0 home defeat to Man Utd, which was their fifth defeat in seven matches and left them ninth in the league.Currently, Espírito Santo is doing a first class job at Nottingham Forest, who he joined in 2023.After saving them from relegation last campaign, they’re now flying high in the top seven.Nuno Espirito Santo was a cult figure at Wolves and secured European footballCredit: PA:Empics SPORTSince saving Nottingham Forest from relegation, Espirito Santo has continued to do a good job thereCredit: GettyBruno LageLage came to the Prem with a Portuguese title winner’s medal in his pocket in 2021.But it counted for nothing during his 16 month tenure at Wolves.He ripped up what had been so successful under Espírito Santo by changing the team’s formation.They finished in tenth place in his first season, after a disappointing end to the campaign which saw then winless in seven games, as Lage insisted on imprinting his own style on his side.The following summer he was backed to the tune of over £100million, breaking the club’s transfer record with the signing of Matheus Nunes for £38million.After a defeat to West Ham just three months into the 2022-2023 season, Lage and his team were sacked.He said after that his team, “never lost a match with a striker in the initial line-up, [and] will surely improve as strikers become available.”Bruno Lage spent over £100m as Wolves boss to put his own stamp on the teamCredit: GettyLage was sacked, scratching his head, after a dismal run of resultsCredit: PACarlos CarvalhalCarvalhal proved his chops at Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship, until he left the club by mutual consent in 2017.Four days later, he was named as the new Swansea City manager – following the sacking of Paul Clement – three days after Christmas.He was nominated Premier League Manager of the Month for the month of January, after masterminding consecutive home victories over Liverpool and Arsenal.READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever, despite those heroic performances, he couldn’t save the Welsh club from relegation.He left the Liberty Stadium, returned to Portugal, and took up a job at Rio Ave.Carlos Carvalhal was brought into Swansea to save them from relegationCredit: GettyDespite beating Liverpool and Arsenal at home, Swansea were relegatedCredit: PA:Empics Sport More

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    Seven Man Utd stars who should be fearing for their future in January as Ruben Amorim already knows who he doesn’t want

    RUBEN AMORIM will want to stamp his mark on his new Manchester United squad as soon as possible.The former Sporting boss replaced Erik ten Hag and is preparing to take charge of his first match in charge at Ipswich on Sunday.Ruben Amorim will be weighing up which players he will be willing to let go in JanuaryCredit: GettyHe must make do with the current crop of players for the first few weeks of his tenure until the January transfer window opens.However, even then, it is understood he may not have an abundance of cash to splash to bring in his top targets straight away.And that could therefore see Amorim try and raise some funds by selling off some of the United players that fail to impress or fit into his favoured 3-4-3 system.But who is most at risk of facing the chop and could be heading out of the Old Trafford exit door early in 2025?READ MORE ON FOOTBALLJOSHUA ZIRKZEEJoshua Zirkzee may have only joined United in the summer but may already find himself as the third-choice striker under Amorim.The new manager’s preferred style favours the likes of Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund and there are concerns Zirkzee won’t fit the mould. It has been a tough start to life at Old Trafford for the Dutch striker, who has just one goal in his opening 17 appearances and allegedly was not even wanted by former boss Erik ten Hag before his £36.5million arrival. United and Zirkzee may decide this has not worked out and allow the 23-year-old to move elsewhere to continue his career before things turn sour. Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSJoshua Zirkzee’s United spell could be over within six monthsCredit: AlamyCHRISTIAN ERIKSENThe Danish midfielder, 32, is out of contract at the end of the season and was linked with leaving last summer. Ten Hag kept Christian Eriksen on but the reality is his game time will be very limited in the Amorim formation and selling the veteran would mean United can get a fee for him.Ruben Amorim gives first Man Utd interview and reveals number one priority to revive fallen giantsChristian Eriksen might be on his way outCredit: AlamyCASEMIROCasemiro’s United career has been turbulent to say the least – but could it be about to fizzle out?The experienced Brazilian, 32, has struggled to have the impact he would have wanted and his impact was waning under Ten Hag.And that could reduce even further if Amorim opts for a midfield duo of Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo. He is under contract until 2026 but is United’s top-paid player on a staggering £375,000 per week – meaning shipping him out to the Middle East would be an ideal solution.Casemiro may find his game time limited in the new Amorim systemCredit: ReutersALEJANDRO GARNACHOThis one could ruffle a few feathers but Alejandro Garnacho, 20, could be on his way of Old Trafford, too.The new 3-4-3 formation will likely see two supporting playmakers in behind the main striker – with wing-backs instead of wingers.And that could spell bad news for the Argentine.He is undoubtedly one of the most exciting talents in the Red Devils squad and fans would hate to see him leave.But a big offer for an unfancied star who could generate a huge profit may be appealing for Amorim and his boardroom bosses.Alejandro Garnacho is one the most valuable men in the Red Devils squadCredit: RexAMAD DIALLOSimilarly, Amad Diallo, 22, could find himself out of favour under Amorim.The winger’s contract is also expiring next summer and if Amorim does not want to use him, he may try and convince the club to sell him in January – rather than offer a new contract or let him go for free.Incredibly, Antony could be handed a lifeline at Old Trafford – with early training sessions hinting he could get a new lease of life as a wing-back. Amad Diallo’s future is up in the airCredit: ReutersHARRY MAGUIREAmorim is keen for a 3-4-3 formation with three centre-backs.The reality is Harry Maguire, 31, can play in a back three and has done so previously – including for England at the World Cup.But the reality is also that he will be behind Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez and Leny Yoro in the pecking order – plus potentially Luke Shaw if he moves into a left centre-back role.Maguire has been on the cusp of leaving several times and shaving his £190,000 off the weekly wage bill would help the finances. Harry Maguire may be on his way out of the clubCredit: EPAVICTOR LINDELOFOne could be forgiven for forgetting Victor Lindelof, 30, was still on the books at Old Trafford – more than seven years after arriving in 2017.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe will surely not get an extension on his current deal which expires at the end of the season.So trying to flog him in January would present the final chance to get anything for the Swedish defender. Victor Lindelof is way down the pecking order among the centre-backsCredit: Getty More

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    Man Utd ‘transfer plans revealed as Ruben Amorim eyes Jarrad Branthwaite and Champions League-winning dream target’

    MANCHESTER UNITED are drawing up plans to return to land No1 defensive target Jarrad Branthwaite, according to reports. Ruben Amorim is set to take charge of his first game for the Red Devils against Ipswich on Sunday.Man Utd are planning some major transfers to bolster Ruben Amorim’s teamCredit: GettyThe club are reportedly considering returning for Jarrad BranthwaiteCredit: AlamyJamie Carragher is intrigued to see how such a “radical” move with work mid-season, while Amorim himself has warned fans they will need to prepare for some “hard moments”.Regardless, United transfer chiefs look set to press on with plans to sure up the defence despite landing three defenders in the summer.According to the Daily Mail, United are considering whether to return to Everton’s doorstep with an offer for Branthwaite.They saw two bids for the Englishman, 22, rejected in the summer, with the latter reaching £50million including add-ons.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBraithwaite’s arrival would serve to bolster the defence for a three-player defence, with Amorim’s style seeing him play a 3-4-3 shape rather than the 4-3-3 previously seen under Erik ten Hag.However, the report says United will need to sell players if they want to make this move in January or next summer.Elsewhere, United remain in the race to land Bayern Munich left wing-back Alphonso Davies.The Canadian’s contract with the Bavarians expires in the summer, and according to AS he has made no decision over his future.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSLa Liga giants Real Madrid have been long-term admirers of Davies, 24, and are reported by the outlet to have transferred their offer to the player’s agent.This being said, with Ferland Mendy at the Bernabeu, strengthening the position is not a priority and they are not willing to get into a battle with other clubs.Jarrad Branthwaite talks about his history of playing for Everton Bild reports the offer for the Champions League winner is worth just under £10m per year.But Davies’ agent Nedal Huoseh has dismissed talk of an agreement and claimed it is actually Man Utd who are “bidding hard” to sign Davies.With Luke Shaw’s fitness once again proving to be unreliable this season and Tyrell Malacia only recently returning from a long-term injury, moving for Davies would make sense as an aggressive wing-back option for Amorim.SunSport have taken an extensive look into how Amorim is expected to get the team playing in the latest edition of our Tactics Exposed series.A win can put Man Utd seventh in the table if results elsewhere go in their favour.Alphonso Davies is in talks with Real Madrid and Man UtdCredit: RexThree Sporting stars Amorim could swoop for after joining Man UtdRUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:VIKTOR GYOKERESAge: 26Position: StrikerCost: £84millionSwede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.GONCALO INACIOAge: 23Position: DefenderCost: £50millionBall-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.MORTEN HJULMANDAge: 25Position: MidfieldCost: £40millionDane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.He could be the man to replace Casemiro. More

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    Ruben Amorim tells Man Utd chiefs: Give me two years then decide if I’m the right man for the job

    RUBEN AMORIM insists if he has not proved himself in two years he should leave Manchester United.The new Red Devils boss says he is “the right guy” for the task at hand at Old Trafford.Ruben Amorim is the sixth new Manchester United manager in 11 yearsCredit: GettyBut as he became United’s sixth new boss in 11 years, the Portuguese said the club can decide whether he is or not in a couple of years.Amorim said: “In two years you will understand if I am the right man to be in this process.“In two years you can understand if you want to continue on this path or you want to change.“I know if you are at Manchester United you have to win games, so I will not tell you I need a lot of time.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThe former Sporting Lisbon coach, however, believes the club will soon realise they have made the correct choice.While he did not quite quote his mentor Jose Mourinho by calling himself ‘The Special One’ he was not far off and says this is not the impossible job.He said: “Call me naïve but I believe I am the right guy in the right moment. I truly believe I am the right guy.“I am a little bit a dreamer and I believe in myself and I believe in the club.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“I think we have the same idea, the same mindset and that can help.“I truly believe in the players also. I think we have room to improve and I want to try new things.Ruben Amorim takes charge of first Man Utd training session“You guys think it is not possible, I think it is possible.”Amorim takes charge of his first game as the new United boss on Sunday away to Ipswich.And ahead of the clash, he also warned his Red Devils fans to expect some turbulence during his era.Amorim added: “It’s Manchester United, you feel the weight of history despite the last few years and you want to be part of it.”If you win here, it will be different from any other club in England.”The responsibility is enormous. It will be difficult.”There will be very difficult moments, but I really believe we will succeed.”Amorim will oversee his first match in charge on Sunday at IpswichCredit: GettyThe new boss says he needs two years to be judged on his performanceCredit: Getty More

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    Ruben Amorim tells Man Utd fans to expect ‘really hard moments’ as he admits it’s ‘a different world’ to anything before

    RUBEN AMORIM has warned Manchester United fans to expect some ups and downs over the next few years.The 39-year-old was officially announced as Erik ten Hag’s successor earlier this month.Ruben Amorim was officially appointed as Manchester United’s new manager earlier this monthCredit: GETTYThe 39-year-old gaffer replaces the recently-axed Erik ten HagCredit: GETTYThe Portuguese has warned United fans to expect some turbulent times over the next few yearsCredit: GETTYAmorim’s first assignment will be a trip to Portman Road on Sunday to take on Ipswich Town.The Portuguese is looking forward to the challenge ahead and implementing his philosophy on the team and club as a whole.But the former Sporting Lisbon chief has warned the Old Trafford faithful not to expect him to perform miracles straight away.He said: “It’s Manchester United, you feel the weight of history despite the last few years and you want to be part of it. READ MORE ON AMORIM”If you win here, it will be different from any other club in England.”The responsibility is enormous. It will be difficult. “There will be very difficult moments, but I really believe we will succeed.”The Old Trafford hotseat arguably has the most eyes on it in world football.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS’I was expecting this’ – What Ruben Amorim said about Man Utd job linksRUBEN AMORIM has responded to being linked with a move to Manchester United.The Sporting Lisbon coach, 39, is reportedly closing in on a deal worth £8million to become Erik ten Hag’s successor.Just hours after Ten Hag’s dismissed on Monday morning, it emerged Man Utd chiefs were in talks with Amorim as they zero in on the Sporting boss.But the ex-Braga coach remained tight-lipped on negotiations when quizzed by the media.He said: “I was already expecting this question [about Man Utd].“Obviously I’m not going to talk about the future, because otherwise I’ll always have to comment.”I’m very proud to be Sporting coach, that’s all.”But Amorim is ready for all the extra attention and scrutiny which comes with the job.He said: “It’s a different world here. There’s a lot to do. How Ruben Amorim will resurrect Marcus Rashford’s Man United career with subtle position change”You’re not just a coach. It’s different, but I’m prepared.”Amorim is United’s SIXTH permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in May 2013.His successors have all FAILED to win the Premier League, although there has been a sprinkling of FA, Europa League and League Cup success.And Amorim is confident he can end the club’s long wait to return to the summit of the English top flight.He said: “Call me naive. But I truly believe I am the right guy in the right moment. “I could be wrong but the world still will turn [and] the sun will rise again, I don’t worry about that. “I truly believe I’m the right guy for this job.”Confidence aside, Amorim knows he’ll face the same fate as his predecessors if he doesn’t start filling Old Trafford’s trophy room.He said: “I know if you are at Manchester United you have to win games.”So I will not tell you I need a lot of time. “It’s a great league, the strongest in the world, and we have to improve a lot. “We have to win games and then to win titles.”Amorim is confident his stint at the Theatre of Dreams won’t be a nightmare and insists he should leave the club if he doesn’t deliver on his promises within two years.He said: “In two years, you will understand if I am the right man to be in this process.READ MORE SUN STORIES“In two years, you can understand if you want to continue in this path or you want to change.“I know if you are at Manchester United you have to win games, so I will not tell you I need a lot of time.” More

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    Ruben Amorim ‘to introduce one of the most radical mid-season changes in strategy ever’ as Man Utd face Ipswich

    JAMIE CARRAGHER has revealed he is excited about watching Manchester United take on Ipswich on Sunday.The Red Devils return following the international break with a trip down to Portman Road. Ruben Amorim will deploy a ‘radical’ change of system at Man UtdCredit: GettyJamie Carragher is intrigued to see how United play against Ipswich on SundayCredit: PAHowever, they will be boasting a new manager and coaching staff to boot in the form of Ruben Amorim, who is taking charge of his first competitive game after taking charge on November 11.Amorim’s tactics are known to be quite divorced from previous boss Erik ten Hag’s, particularly in formation with the Portuguese preferring a 3-4-3 over Ten Hag’s 4-3-3.The 39-year-old whetted the appetite for what he could achieve by beating Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League in his final home game with Sporting Lisbon.However, Liverpool icon Carragher is intrigued to find out whether Amorim’s radical new system will yield the same success it did for him at Sporting, where he won two league titles. READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd in particular, he is keen to see whether former Man Utd coach Kieran McKenna will be able to exploit the weaknesses in the team he will be aware of.Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Carragher said: “I cannot wait to see United take on Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon.”We are about to witness one of the most radical mid-season changes in formation and strategy ever imposed by one of the elite clubs. “Facing the side fourth from bottom might seem a gentle introduction to English football for Amorim. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”My suspicion is it will be much trickier than many think. “United are not just playing Ipswich at Portman Road. How Ruben Amorim will resurrect Marcus Rashford’s Man United career with subtle position change”They face a manager who arguably knows more about the strengths and weaknesses within United’s squad than the new coach.”SunSport have taken an extensive look into how Amorim is expected to get the team playing in the latest edition of our Tactics Exposed series.A win can put Man Utd seventh in the table if results elsewhere go in their favour.Meanwhile, Ipswich are one point above the drop zone but are coming off the back of a win over Tottenham before the international break.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More

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    Ruben Amorim is joining a Man Utd in chaos… the mess behind the scenes will make him wish he never left Sporting

    THE smiling face of Ruben Amorim and the promise of a bright new future is supposed to be giving everyone at Manchester United a lift.Unfortunately, the public face of the Red Devils hides a very different story behind the scenes. Ruben Amorim faces the biggest challenge of his career as he prepares to take charge of United’s first game this weekendCredit: GettyBut while the feeling is one of hope among fans, United are still plagued by a host of behind-the-scenes issuesCredit: GettyWoeful recruitment choices and budgeting problems have spelt disaster for United in recent yearsCredit: GettyOne which could have the new boss pining for Lisbon before he knows it.The ramifications of a disastrous summer for the club under new leadership are still being felt. Not least among the rank-and-file staff, who are seeing their positions eroded and, in the worst-case scenario, extinguished   altogether with 250 redundancies.They understandably wonder if they are collateral damage of decisions by the ex-manager and woeful recruitment.READ MORE ON MAN UTDEven Sir Alex Ferguson has not been safe with his £2million-a-year ambassadorial role axed.Those who championed new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival as having put a spring in everyone’s step have lost their bounce.He took control of 27.7 per cent of the club from the Glazer family last February, with the mandate to run the football operation while the American owners sat back and continued to milk the cash cow.He brought in trusted wingman Sir Dave Brailsford although, to this day, nobody at the club knows quite what his skills are or what he does, rather than telling everyone what is wrong.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSOne of his first complaints was the state of the IT department’s office at the training ground, which he did not realise was actually an MUTV studio.The handling of former gaffer Erik ten Hag has leapt to the top of the charts regarding bungling in 11 years since Fergie retired and the bar is already pretty high.A look at the build-up to Ruben Amorim’s first match in charge of Man Utd To cut a long story short, they wanted him out, couldn’t find anyone to replace him, asked him to stay, extended his contract, spent millions on a new coaching team at the Theatre of Dreams and then spent another £172.1MILLION in the transfer market.Just 11 games into the new season, the hierarchy decided they would once again return to square one at great expense, with pay-offs for all those going out and a release clause fee for the new bloke coming in.Now, questions are being asked internally at the highest level about how they got to this position, with fingers metaphorically pointed across the boardroom table.Sir Jim has effectively washed his hands of it all, having claimed when questions about Ten Hag’s future intensified, that it wasn’t on him to provide the answers as they had a new senior management team in place to do all that.That team includes Omar Berrada, the CEO poached from rivals Manchester City, who were not exactly tying him to the Etihad’s gates to stop him from going, and Dan Ashworth, the sporting director, who was good lower down the league on a budget.Then there is Jason Wilcox, the technical director, who is supposed to influence how United play now.If he’s already had input, goodness knows what he has been saying.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change.All will undoubtedly have had a significant influence on the summer spending splurge, which failed to raise the team’s performance.The most bizarre transfer was the £36.5m paid to Bologna for Joshua Zirkzee.Ten Hag didn’t want him. He arrived a stone overweight and has scored ONE goal.Apparently a metatarsal problem showed up on Leny Yoro’s medical ahead of a £42m spend.Lo and behold, in his second game of pre-season, he got a metatarsal injury and has only just started training during the current international break.Then the question is why would Bayern Munich let go of defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui at a combined total of £51.3m up front, rising to a possible £59.5m, if they were that good?Only Manuel Ugarte, the £42.2m signing from Paris Saint-Germain, is looking close to being a United player, yet even he does not look a step up from Scott McTominay, who left for Napoli and is ripping it up.Eyebrows have been raised as to why Bayern let Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt goCredit: GettyLeny Yoro reportedly arrived injured and has just returned to trainingCredit: GettyThe spending means Amorim’s ability to do anything in the next transfer window will be restricted unless he can shift players, but who is going to buy anyone from Old Trafford right now?All this time behind the scenes, the ship is far from happy, with staff unceremoniously thrown overboard in a penny-pinching purge. It has even led to chefs pulling their hair out to try to cover matchday hospitality on reduced budgets and staffing levels.Long-standing employees feel like they have been cast aside like rubbish.The most alarming story came when a staff member with 25 years at the club behind him was told he was being given a commemorative watch for his service.He was then told to pick it up at main reception, where a security guard handed it to him in a polythene bag. That’s a picture to show the grandkids in the future.READ MORE SUN STORIESAn award-winning journalist is currently tasked with shadowing Sir Jim and his new regime for a book on how they turned United around. It may end up being a work of fiction.Ruben Amorim is ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘walking dead’ into Portuguese champs… he can revive Man UtdWHEN Ruben Amorim took charge of Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davies.Optimism and hope was at an all-time low.But the Amorim-effect was almost instantaneous, guiding the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title for 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and only conceding 20 goals.Since then, Sporting have lifted another league title in 2023/24 – as well as two League Cups – and currently sit top with nine wins from nine this term.He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for rebuilding and revitalising fallen super powers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that hardly ever wavers. The “walking dead” at Manchester United must be praying for a similar sort of revival.And they may just get it from one of the most talented young coaches on the continent – a man accustomed to breathing new life back into crumbling institutions such as Old Trafford.Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day gracing England’s Premier League, such was his admiration for an ex-United boss in Jose Mourinho growing up.Often nicknamed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, Amorim spent a week with his coaching idol in an internship capacity at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his “reference point”.United should not be expecting a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim said himself: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”And yet, you cannot help but compare the two.For all the mismanagement in the Old Trafford hot seats over the years, this would be a real get – finally a slap in the face United’s Prem rivals have no answer for. More

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    Ruben Amorim makes Leny Yoro decision with £52m star removed from squad after training with new Man Utd boss

    RUBEN AMORIM pulled Leny Yoro out of Manchester United’s under-21 game this week, according to reports.The 19-year-old was due to make his first appearance of the season in a 4-0 win over Altrincham in the National League Cup on Tuesday.Leny Yoro was removed from the U21 squad after his first training session with Ruben AmorimCredit: GettyYoro is yet to make a competitive appearance for United after suffering an injury in pre-seasonCredit: GettyAmorim has been putting the players, available to him following the international break, through their paces at CarringtonCredit: GettyBut new United boss Amorim wanted Yoro to remain with the senior squad after watching the defender in his first training session on Monday.Yoro recently returned to Carrington after fracturing his metatarsal during pre-season against Arsenal on July 26.Training clips, released by United, showed Yoro, who signed for £59m from Lille in the summer, training at the right hand side of the back three.He was flanked by Jonny Evans in the middle and Luke Shaw on the left during the practice match.READ MORE ON MAN UTDAmorim appears to have taken an immediate shine to Yoro.The teenage talent could make his debut away at Ipswich Town on Sunday.Amorim is expected to bring in his favourite 3-4-3 formation, which saw him win two titles with Sporting Lisbon.The Frenchman was among the first players to meet the new boss when he arrived at the start of the international break.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAmorim, 39, did not have a full squad of first-team players to work with because many of his top stars were on international duty.He will be cautious with Yoro’s return, but he could be forced to throw him into action at Portman Road amid uncertainty surrounding other centre-backs.How Ruben Amorim will resurrect Marcus Rashford’s Man United career with subtle position changeUnited are going through yet another injury crisis at the back, after Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof withdrew from their national teams over the break.Harry Maguire hasn’t been spotted in training and looks to be ruled out of the trip to East Anglia.Maguire has been out for seven weeks with a calf injury he sustained in the first half of the goalless draw with Aston Villa on October 6.Ruben Amorim leaves Sporting on a highBy Charlie WyettRUBEN AMORIM would have preferred to leave Lisbon in a blaze of glory after winning a third Primeira Liga title.Yet football does not work like that. And in what was surely his final game before taking charge of Manchester United, Amorim prepared to say his goodbyes at a half-empty Estadio Jose Alvalade in a League Cup quarter-final against Nacional.Sporting won 3-1 thanks to  second-half goals by captain  Morten Hjulmand and Viktor Gyokeres, who scored two.Luis Esteves pulled back for Madeira-based Nacional.The stadium  will be a good deal more lively on Tuesday when Manchester City are here for  a Champions League match — although Amorim should by then have his feet firmly under his desk at Old Trafford.Liverpool and Aston Villa were both interested in Europe’s most sought-after coach. Even City could have been a possible destination post-Pep Guardiola.Yet the United job is one Amorim, 39,  could not turn  down — even if not everyone saw it that way at Sporting last night.There is clearly a huge split in the Portuguese club’s fan base over their coach leaving at this stage of the season with many believing he should have seen the job through.Yet Amorim, along with the three-man coaching team who are expected to follow him, leaves a club in a much better state than when he arrived here in 2020.Inside the stadium, there was applause — albeit muted — when his name was read out before the game along with the line-ups.And there did not appear to be any jeers when Amorim shuffled out from the tunnel awkwardly towards the dugout.So, while his departure is hard to take for some, none of the fans will forget his legacy.This is a club which is back as the dominant force in Portugal. Even this term, Sporting have won their first nine league games, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two.They are also eighth in the Champions League table, which is one hell of an effort.In contrast, Lisbon was not exactly hit by League Cup fever last night.Amorim made lots of changes, which saw Sporting’s star man Gyokeres, the former Coventry striker, start on the bench.There was, however, a first appearance in six weeks for former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards. He is certainly one player who has been transformed by Amorim since arriving at the club from Vitoria in 2022 and will be sorry to see the coach leave.While he changed his team, Amorim stuck with his tried and trusted formation of a back three.It will certainly be something Manchester United’s fans will have to get used to over the  coming months.But looking at the Premier League table, none of them will be complaining about the change. More