On Monday morning, few cared about the work of Ruben Amorim at Sporting Lisbon however, by the evening, intrigue over the 39-year-old’s career was rife.
That’s because Amorim is the leading contender to replace Erik ten Hag at Man United, who was relieved of his duties following a dismal start to the campaign.
Mail Sport revealed last week that Amorim was one of four targets if Ten Hag was axed – with Xavi, Erin Terzic and Thomas Frank also among the frontrunners.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has been put in temporary charge but United have agreed to pay Amorim’s £8.3million release clause to bring the Portuguese to Old Trafford.
Here, Mail Sport takes a look at the Portuguese manager’s tactical set-up, why others have overlooked him and how United could line-up under him.
Ruben Amorim is likely to become the next Man United manager after Erik ten Hag’s sacking
Amorim will offer United a new tactical approach should he land the job at Old Trafford
Amorim has delivered five trophies since taking charge of the Portuguese side in March 2020
Before we get into the nitty gritty of Amorim’s play style, let’s take a brief look at his background and the success that he has found at Sporting.
The former central midfielder – who hung up his playing boots in 2016 – joined the Portuguese giants in 2020, having impressed during a stint at Braga.
Prior to his arrival, Sporting had been somewhat cast aside in title races – with Benfica and Porto regularly battling it out for the top spot.
However, it took just one year for Amorim to disrupt that as, in the 2020-21 season, he helped deliver Sporting’s first league title in 19 years – losing just one match.
The following season they finished runners up to Porto before mustering a fourth-place league finish in his third season, which came as a disappointment to Amorim.
At a meeting with Sporting director Hugo Viana, Amorim revealed he wanted to leave because he felt his project had failed.
The 39-year-old led Sporting to two first division titles in four years with the Portuguese giants
Amorim delivered Sporting their first league title in 19 years after just one year in charge
In response, the director called in the entire staff, all of whom expressed confidence, faith and love in him and the work he had been doing. Clearly, it worked as the following year, Sporting once again won the league.
Interestingly, throughout his development as a coach, Amorim has found inspiration in former United head coach Jose Mourinho.
Previously, when Amorim was asked if Man City boss Pep Guardiola was his reference point he answered by saying: ‘My reference has always been Mourinho.’
He attended a coaching course at the Faculty of Human Kinetics, University of Lisbon which had sessions led by Mourinho alongside Antonio Veloso, who won seven league titles with Benfica in the 1980s.
The pair stayed in touch, though the relationship is said to have evolved away from a master-and-apprentice hierarchy. When Amorim’s Sporting knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League in 2023, his compatriot was quick to WhatsApp him a congratulatory message.
‘The old and the new Mourinho are still in the competition,’ joked the then-Roma boss. When quizzed on the pair’s similarities, Amorim said of his idol: ‘Mourinho is one of a kind. There won’t be another Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.’
Man United managerial target Amorim idolises fellow countryman Jose Mourinho
The duo, pictured during a pre-season friendly in July 2022, have regular conversations
One key feature of Amorim’s Sporting side – and one that has previously deterred clubs from taking a chance on him – has been the formation which he plays.
The 39-year-old uses a 3-4-3 structure for his teams – with the wide roles capable of being played by either full-backs or wingers who are also tasked with defending.
His reasons for adapting this particular tactical approach stem from his struggles early on in his career, when he was managing third-tier side Casa Pia.
European football expert Guillem Balague told BBC Sport: ‘He lost his first two games and, with his pride hurt and doubts setting in, he announced if he lost the third game he would quit. In the next match he changed the system and played a back three for the first time.
‘The system worked and from then on he remained unbeaten at the club. He also felt he had found the formation that allowed him to produce the football he wanted – one invariably linked to the spectacle for the fans’.
Those who were familiar with Amorim prior to Monday evening may remember that he was a leading candidate to take over at Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp’s exit.
However, after meeting with the Reds, they decided that he was not the right man for the job due to how much his tactical style differed from that of Klopp.
Speaking at the time, Sky Sports’ Melissa Reddy explained: ‘He likes to use three at the back – that doesn’t really stack up with Liverpool’s squad and their comforts in doing that. Also his long-term vision didn’t align with the Liverpool way.’
While that may not have been an ideal fit for Liverpool, conversely, it sounds like a tactical system and approach that may suit United.
From a defensive viewpoint, the Red Devils could do with further solidity and a back three of Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro sounds appealing.
Manuel Ugarte could re-discover his best form under his former Sporting Lisbon boss
Here’s how Amorim’s United side could line-up if the Portuguese boss was to join immediately
Meanwhile, England fans will be well aware that centre-back Harry Maguire also thrives when deployed in a back-three.
Furthermore, Amorim’s arrival would certainly be welcomed with United’s summer recruit Manuel Ugarte, who played his best football under Amorim at Sporting.
During his two years there, Ugarte won the Portuguese League Cup and Super Cup with Sporting in 2022 and earned a £50million move to Paris St Germain.
Though he’s struggled to replicate that form since moving to Old Trafford, there’s no doubt that Amorim’s arrival could see an up-turn in performances from Ugarte.
There is also the topic of youth development, which will be important to Ineos chiefs given the array of talents – such as Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho – that United boast.
And, to the delight of Red Devils supporters, Amorim has a fantastic track record with bringing through young stars and nurturing their development into first-team football.
Youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho could benefit from Amorim’s arrival
Geovany Quenda has been a revelation for Sporting since breaking into the first-team this year
During his time at Sporting, Amorim has played a hand in the rise of Nuno Mendes, Gonçalo Inacio, Pedro Porro, Matheus Nunes, Marcus Edwards and Geovany Quenda.
The final name on that list, Quenda, could be one that United become familiar with over time given how well he has performed for Amorim at Sporting.
The 17-year-old winger has broken into their first-team during the season and has already scored two goals when deployed on the right-side.
In fact, it’s likely that Amorim could look to bring a number of his Sporting stars with him to Old Trafford including the highly-rated Viktor Gyokeres.
The former Coventry City striker has been a revelation since moving to Portugal and, given United’s struggles in front of goal this year, could become a top target.
Viktor Gyokeres has become of the most prolific forwards in Europe after starring at Sporting
Here’s how United could line-up if Amorim brings Quenda and Gyokeres to Manchester
Any move for Gyokeres has been boosted by claims that the striker could be allowed to leave Sporting for just £50million, as per reports by Sky Germany.
The 26-year-old has already scored 12 goals in 9 league appearances for Sporting this season and is recognised as one of the most prolific forwards in Europe.
Elsewhere, within Sporting’s side, there could be interest in a trio of defenders.
Goncalo Inacio, Ousmane Diomande and Eduardo Quaresma have all been linked with potential moves across Europe and, if Amorim arrives, don’t be surprised if United also register interest.
