Rúben Amorim’s first Manchester United decision bad for three club stars, say ex-players

Two former Manchester United stars have detailed that Rúben Amorim’s first big decision is bad for three of his new players following his first few days at the club.

A few weeks ago, Manchester United announced Rúben Amorim as their new Head Coach following the departure of Erik ten Hag.

Despite ten Hag receiving a contract extension over the summer, United’s struggles this season left them in 14th place in the Premier League and 21st in the Europa League, prompting his dismissal two weeks ago. The club swiftly moved to secure Amorim as his replacement.

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Ruud van Nistelrooy stepped in as interim manager, guiding the team through four matches, with three wins and one draw, to help “stabilise the ship.”

Amorim arrived in England on Monday, 11 November, and has now officially taken charge. His first match will be on 24 November, away to Ipswich Town.

Amorim’s first big decision

As Amorim touched down in England for the first time since his appointment, United confirmed that Van Nistelrooy and three other coaches had left the club. Amorim is bringing six other backroom staff from Sporting CP with him.

The Dutch interim boss’s future has been a big talking point since he took temporary charge of the squad, but with Amorim wanting a clean slate, the 39-year-old chose to axe the former striker.

There have been reports that United’s players would have been keen to see Van Nistelrooy stay as they had a good connection with the squad.

However, many of Amorim’s United coaches have been those who have been part of his journey since he managed Casa Pia in 2018, where he started his journey as a coach that has since led him to United.

The manager has since been spotted greeting some of those United players who are undergoing rehabilitation from injury such as Luke Shaw (featured image), Leny Yoro, and Mason Mount.

Bad for three players, says Hargreaves

Speaking on  Rio Ferdinand Presents, former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves said the Dutchman could have worked with Rasmus Højlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford under Amorim.

“They need to learn from one of the best to ever do it. You don’t have to be the main guy, the coach, but he can help these guys learn the little details,” he said.

Ferdinand agreed with this notion, explaining that Van Nistelrooy’s connection with the players had been missing at United and that Amroim should have sought to keep it.

“We’ve been sitting here waiting for a manager to connect with the players. We have one right now. Why are you going to get rid of him?”

Regardless, many United players are excited to play under Rúben Amorim. Rasmus Højlund and Matthijs de Ligt have expressed their interest in the coach’s back-three formations.

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