Maguire backs Amorim to succeed but admits Man Utd transition will be difficult

Harry Maguire has backed Ruben Amorim to turn Manchester United’s dismal season around, while acknowledging there are big stylistic differences between the Portuguese coach and his predecessor Erik ten Hag.

United are 14th in the league and have lost half of their 10 matches under Amorim since he took over in the middle of November, including three consecutive defeats over the festive period before their match with Newcastle United on Monday.

The Portuguese has inherited a squad used to a transitional, counter-attacking style under Ten Hag, while Amorim has emphasised the use of possession and a three-at-the-back system during his time at Sporting CP.

Maguire backs Amorim to turn things around but is aware that a period of transition will prove difficult for the players, as results are already showing.

“The thing is with the managers and the styles, it is not like they have come in and they have similar styles,” Maguire told Sky Sports.

“So the transition period is going to be tough. We all have great belief in the manager and all his coaching staff.

“I am sure things are going to turn around. He knows exactly what he needs to do to get this club back.

“He has come in and done everything he needs to do. He is really demanding.”

“Be aggressive, don’t be passive.”@HarryMaguire93 says a strong defence benefits the attacking prospects of any team #MUFC || #PL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 29, 2024

The defender also admits United’s players haven’t even spoken about any upcoming targets due to the poor state that the club is in.

He said: “We are just doing everything we can to climb the table.

“We can’t really set a target at the moment because we are nowhere near good enough and nowhere near where we want to be in the league table.

“It is really disappointing what we have done until now. Everybody knows that. We know it is not good enough for this club.”