Manchester United have made an appointment of the exciting young coach Ruben Amorim, who leaves his hugely successful project at Sporting to take on board one of the toughest jobs in modern football. After more than a handful of failed managers taking on the job to try and turn around the sinking ship, Amorim steps up to the plate with a growing reputation and a mammoth task.

In this post, we’ve picked out 5 key points that Amorim will need to address in his opening run as manager, if he is to gain full backing of the players, support and growing hierarchy at the club. Some of the jobs are certainly part of their long-term plans, while others offer a quick fix to bring some success in what has proven to be a very poor start to the campaign.

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Footballing Identity

One of Manchester United’s most glaring shortcomings in the post-Ferguson era has been the absence of a coherent playing identity. Under Erik ten Hag, moments of progress were undermined by inconsistency and tactical confusion. Amorim’s preferred 3-4-3 system, built on verticality, aggressive pressing, and positional fluidity, has proven successful in Portugal. Translating that style to the Premier League while adapting to the physical and tactical demands of English football will be his first and most critical task. United supporters will expect not just results, but a brand of football they can believe in.

Midfield Conundrum

Midfield remains a long-standing issue at Old Trafford. The decline of Casemiro, the uncertainty over Christian Eriksen’s role, and the need to manage the development of Kobbie Mainoo present immediate questions. Bruno Fernandes is likely to remain central to Amorim’s plans, but United lack the balance between control and dynamism. Whether that comes from reinvigorating existing players or demanding targeted investment in the summer window, stabilizing the midfield will be essential to any long-term success.

Underperforming Assets

Amorim’s reputation for player development will be put to the test with several high-profile underperformers. Jadon Sancho’s exile, Antony’s inconsistency, and Marcus Rashford’s fluctuating form represent both a challenge and an opportunity. The new manager will need to decide quickly which players can adapt to his methods and which need to be moved on. His success at developing players such as Pedro Gonçalves and Gonçalo Inácio suggests he has the tools but patience at Manchester United is famously short. With United possessing a great value of talent at their disposal but lacking confidence, form and motivation, Amorim will need to bring his Sporting positivity to Old Trafford.

Defensive Foundations

Defensive instability has undermined United throughout the current campaign. Injuries, individual errors, and a lack of cohesion have seen the back line exposed repeatedly. Amorim’s system relies heavily on disciplined, ball-playing defenders and proactive wing-backs, areas where United will require significant assessment and reinforcement. The futures of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelöf and the newer additions in a back-three system will need careful consideration. Defensive solidity must become a priority if United are to compete consistently at the highest level and given their recent issues with conceding and maintaining a consistent back line.

Aligning With The Hierarchy

Amorim will step into a club undergoing significant off-field change. The arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS has shifted the footballing power structure at Old Trafford, with new sporting executives expected to reshape recruitment and strategy. Amorim’s ability to work within that framework, collaborating with directors, scouting departments, and analytics teams will be pivotal. His vision for the squad must be clearly communicated and supported, particularly in upcoming transfer windows, if United are to build a sustainable, modern footballing project.

Let us know your thoughts on the appointment of Amorim over on our social channels, and keep checking back here and on our YouTube channel, as we will have plenty more content coming over the next few weeks covering the new man in the dugout at Old Trafford.