Amorim: Man United job will change my life, but not me

Ruben Amorim said it was his “destiny” to be the man tasked with turning Manchester United’s on-pitch fortunes around, but said the job will not change him as a manager.

Amorim was appointed as the Red Devils’ new boss at the start of November following the sacking of Erik ten Hag after a poor start to the season.

He drew his first game in charge away to Ipswich Town, but earned his maiden victory in the Europa League on Thursday in a 3-2 win over Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford.

Amorim and United return to home soil this weekend for the visit of Everton in the Premier League, hoping to break into the top half of the standings with a win.

The Red Devils have won 41 Premier League games against Everton, more than any side has beaten another in the competition’s history.

And despite United’s stuttering start to the campaign, Amorim insisted that even if results do not improve, he will still be relaxed in his role.

“I will be OK. No matter what, in this stage of my life, I’ll be OK, so that’s why I’m relaxed,” Amorim told BBC Sport.

“Everybody says to me, ‘this will change me’. This will not change me.

“If something happens, I will be frustrated for a while, but I know I will recover. But I believe that we are going to succeed.

“I’m ready. When I had this invitation, I felt that it was really hard to leave my players at Sporting. But, when I had this opportunity, I felt I had to do this.

“Maybe it’s destiny and I will be a little bit lucky in the beginning and then everything is going to be fine.”

First game as manager at Old Trafford
First win #MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/LIPlpONVrA

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 28, 2024

Following United’s midweek win over Bodo/Glimt, Amorim’s name was chanted around Old Trafford, with the Portuguese labelling that feeling as “special” after the game.

And he intends to continue that relationship with supporters, but acknowledged that he will only be able to do so with their performances on the pitch, which have fallen below expectations.

“Yes, for sure I feel that, maybe because I am a little bit [of] an emotional person. I can transmit that, even in interviews I think.

“Maybe because I am different from the last coach and this could bring a different connection with the next guy.

“I believe that I am the right guy. People always believe the next guy is the right guy. We always have this feeling.

“To maintain this feeling we have to play better, win games and be really honest with the supporters.

“If you are honest and direct with the supporters – maybe you don’t always say the popular thing – you create a better connection.”

United’s poor start to the season is underlined by their statistics, having scored 13 goals from an expected goals (xG) of 18.3 in the Premier League this term, netting around five goals fewer than the quality of their chances suggests.

No team is underperforming compared to their xG more than the Red Devils (-5.3).

Along with that, no side’s Premier League games have seen fewer goals scored this season than United’s (26).

Only Southampton (nine), Crystal Palace and Everton (10) have netted fewer goals than the Red Devils (13), while only Liverpool (8) and Arsenal (12) have conceded fewer (13).