Man Utd news: Red Devils appoint Ruben Amorim as new manager
After a dismal start to the season, Manchester United sacked Erik ten Hag earlier this week and have now moved quickly to appoint hotshot Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim as his replacement.
Two trophies in two years was ultimately not enough to save Ten Hag’s job as shocking performances, poor results, and a distressing position in the Premier League table convinced INEOS to pull the plug on the Dutchman.
Former United frontman Ruud van Nistelrooy was subsequently appointed on an interim basis, overseeing a cathartic home victory in his first game in the dugout.
With those in charge at Old Trafford spending the week in talks with Sporting Lisbon, it was only a matter of time before United got their man — and now they have.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s resident United correspondent Robert Bore breaks down the week’s events and gives us his take on Amorim replacing Ten Hag.
Ten Hag era ends
Manchester United’s managerial mystery tour rolls on to its next stop after confirmation that highly rated Portuguese tactician Ruben Amorim will take the reins at Old Trafford.
The last stop saw Erik ten Hag alight back in the Netherlands after United finally put an end to his rocky tenure.
And while Ruud van Nistelrooy enjoyed the start of his babysitting gig with a 5-2 thumping of Leicester City's reserves in midweek, United have moved swiftly on.
For the romantics, including me, the sight of Van Nistelrooy looking resplendent in the Manchester night air on Wednesday gave us goosebumps.
It remains to be seen, however, whether there will be a role for him in Amorin's new set-up when the Portuguese begins work on November 11th.
Regardless, we have a new top dog about to walk into the firing line in one of football's most poisonous posts.
READ MORE: Man Utd sack Erik ten Hag: Everything you need to know about Ruben Amorim
Amorim sparks hope amongst Old Trafford faithful
Since the end of Sir Alex Ferguson's wizardry back in May 2013, United have seen off David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ten Hag, and Jose Mourinho — ironically one of Amorin's key influences.
Yet, while similarities exist with Ten Hag's arrival on the back of eye-catching success at Ajax, Sporting Lisbon's leader for the last four years might just be the real deal.
Seriously linked with both Liverpool and West Ham in the last year, Amorim ticks the boxes craved by the fans, mainly attacking football and an unwavering belief in youth.
More concerning may be his favoured 3-4-3 system, if only due to some round pegs and square holes to negotiate when looking at the existing squad, and genuine worry over the state of the club’s coffers.
But we are where we are and a new era is set to begin.
Pundits with jobs to justify, former opposition players still bitter at playing second fiddle for most of their careers, and ABU fans with a thousand sour childhood memories from the Fergie era are primed — all stocking up on popcorn and waiting for the next comedic fall.
For me, I guess it is a case of getting back on the bus. I already have my ticket, I just hope this time we can finally reach the terminus.
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