Chicago – Reuben Amorim arrived in the U.S. with optimism as he joined Manchester United for their preseason tour, a far cry from his demeanor at the end of last season. After suffering a 1-0 defeat to Tottenham in the UEFA Europa League final on May 21, the Portuguese manager seemed defeated, even suggesting he would step down without compensation if the board deemed him unfit.
But a summer break back in Portugal appears to have rejuvenated him. As he trains the team at Chicago Bears’ Soldiers Field, Amorim has regained his cheerful disposition, even sharing a laugh with body performance coach Charlie Owen during warm-ups.
There were some complaints about the delay in signing Brian Mbeumo, yet with Mbeumo and fellow Cameroon international Matthew Cunha now on board, Amorim’s push for more goal scorers is starting to take shape. Last season, United managed only 44 league goals, indicating a pressing need for improvement, especially since both Wolves and Brentford each netted 35.
Amorim aims to enhance both the front and midfield positions, but he emphasizes caution in the transfer market. The management agrees that avoiding poor signings is as crucial as securing the right ones. "We need to be careful with our signings at this moment," Amorim stated during his first summer press briefing.
A significant challenge for United is finding buyers for Antony and Jadon Sancho, both of whom represent a total investment of £160 million over the past four years. Last year, Erik Ten Hag faced challenges reintegrating Sancho, whose lengthy absence raised concerns about his value. Though, Ten Hag had to balance his authority with the needs of the team.
Amorim has made it clear that players like Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, and Tyrell Malacia are no longer part of his plans, receiving the board’s backing to keep them off the touring roster. This bold stance highlights Amorim’s commitment to maintaining high standards.
During talks with Cunha and Mbeumo, Amorim expressed his desire for players who are genuinely motivated to join Manchester United, appreciating their choice to turn down other offers.
From the very first day of preseason, the emphasis is on standards and details, as Mason Mount noted. Amorim’s training regimen begins at 6 AM daily, combining physical conditioning with player freedom, even allowing evenings off for relaxation. Players like Cunha and Lisandro Martínez were seen enjoying their downtime, indulging in some shopping after training sessions.
While the off-field atmosphere is lively, the emphasis remains on rigorous training. Amorim aims to address inefficiencies from the previous season, where time constraints made it difficult to adequately prepare the team. Now, he’s focusing on delivering specific tactical sessions without concern for recovery.
Mattiz de Liguto remarked on the ample training time being crucial to the team’s development. Following their 2-1 victory over West Ham in their tour opener, there’s a renewed sense of confidence among the players.
Despite last season’s struggles—losing 18 league matches and finishing 15th—Amorim is fostering an environment to rebuild player confidence. Celebrating small successes in training, like good passing, reinforces the belief that the squad possesses significant talent.
Mount added that while they identified areas for improvement last season, they approach this new season with a fresh mentality. “A small improvement on the pitch can lead to significant overall gains,” he emphasized.
The win against West Ham was a welcome boost, with De Ligt expressing joy in experiencing the victory feeling again, even in a friendly context. However, Amorim knows he needs to achieve greater success to secure his position in the club amidst a record of only seven league wins from 27 games. The upcoming match against Arsenal poses a tough challenge as they start their new campaign.
Rejuvenated, Amorim seems back to his smiling self—yet the critical challenges remain.
Fan Take: This story highlights the ongoing struggle of Manchester United to restore their former glory, emphasizing how key managerial decisions can reshape the team’s path. As soccer fans, we closely watch how these developments could impact not just the club’s fortunes but also set precedents for coaching strategies across the sport.
