What is Ruben Amorim's managerial record? What will Man United's playing style be like under ex-Portugal midfielder?

Manchester United will be starting afresh with Ruben Amorim set to make his managerial debut in the Premier League in a few days’ time after being put in charge of the ‘Red Devils’. Amorim was widely considered a favourite to replace Erik ten Hag after the latter was removed from the role following an abysmal start to the season. Amorim, who arrives in Manchester after a successful coaching spell with Portuguese giants Sporting CP, was officially unveiled as United's new manager on Friday, four days after Ten Hag got the sack.

The former Portugal and Benfica midfielder is United’s sixth permanent manager since the legendary Alex Ferguson retired in the summer of 2013 after guiding his team to their 13th title of the Premier League era and their 20th top-flight crown overall.

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Amorim officially takes over from van Nistelrooy on 11 November and will have quite the task at hand, with United currently languishing at the 14th place on the Premier League table after registering their worst start to a season in the Premier League era with just three wins in their first nine matches of the season.

While challenging defending champions Manchester City appears out of question, Amorim will hope to get United as close to the top-four as possible. Or try and finish within the top seven to ensure the club gets to play European football in the next season.

What is Ruben Amorim’s record as a manager?

Amorim brings quite the reputation with him upon his arrival at Old Trafford, having led Sporting CP to two Primeira Liga titles during his four-year stint with the club, the first one being their first league triumph in 19 years.

At the time of his departure, Sporting sit at the top of the Portuguese top division having won all 10 matches so far. As for their overall record this season, Sporting have won 14 out of 16 games while losing one and drawing as many – their only defeat of the season coming in the Portuguese Super Cup.

Read | Amorim named new United manager: Can Portuguese coach be Old Trafford’s 'Special One'?

Amorim began his senior managerial career in the 2019-20 season with Braga, helping them win the League Cup that year with a victory over Porto and finish third in the league. That was enough to convince Sporting to hire him as their manager the following season.

As for his overall record with Braga and Sporting CP, Amorim has a winning percentage of 71 in 241 matches, which rises to 78 per cent when taking 165 league matches into account.

77% - Since March 2020 when Rúben Amorim took charge of them, Sporting CP have the highest win percentage of any team across Europe’s top 10 leagues (77% - 120/156). Machine. pic.twitter.com/xngfVwFhnG

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 1, 2024

Besides his two Primeira Liga titles in 2021 and 2024, Amorim would also guide Sporting to the League Cup titles in 2021 and 2022 along with a Super Cup title in 2021.

What will Manchested United’s playing style be under Amorim?

Amorim’s primary influence as a manager is veteran Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, under whom he played as a midfielder at Belenenses as well as Benfica. His preferred formations are the possession-based 3-4-3 and 3-4-2-1, occasionally fielding two strikers with tactics based on defensive solidity and flexible attacking patterns.

Sporting’s playing style during Amorim’s four-year reign was characterised by short-passing possession game along with aggressive pressing system, with a back-three being a consistent feature, which he is likely to implement in his tenure with United that begins with an away clash against Ipswich Town after the November international break.