After Manchester United's 1-3 away defeat to Brentford at the weekend, Amorim is under even more pressure. Recently, Camel Live interviewed Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.
On My Tactical System
When I’m with my team, things are always unpredictable and constantly evolving. We make adjustments to our tactical system, and that’s exactly what I’m doing right now. I’m just trying to lead the team in line with the football philosophy I understand.
How is the Club’s Training Going?
It’s going well. But sometimes, you feel like a training session goes really well, yet the next day, the players’ performance might be completely the opposite. This mainly depends on whether they are fully prepared, whether they stay focused on set-piece tactics, and whether they show sufficient aggression when we practice defensive drills. That’s the most crucial thing for me—after all, the game situation the next day is often very different. I just want to make sure the players are ready and paying attention to every detail.
There’s a Lot of Controversy Around the Three-at-the-Back Formation You Insist on Using—Where Exactly Does Your Inspiration Come From?
I initially used a 4-4-2 formation. The reason I made the change is that usually, all teams adopt a three-at-the-back formation and push their full-backs forward, but we encountered many difficulties when trying to cover all spaces with a four-at-the-back setup.
I started thinking about what we could do—and that’s interesting for me—then I began to implement this system. The interesting part is trying to adapt your view of football to every opponent's system.
As a Manager, Sometimes You Devise a Perfect Plan, But Once It’s On the Pitch, the Outcome Is Unpredictable
The most interesting part is that you have to make the whole team understand: the key isn’t the result of the game, but anticipating the flow of the game in advance. We need to take control of the game's momentum, and certain situations are bound to happen. We might lose a game due to a transition play or a set piece, but the course of the game will proceed as we planned.
Is There Always Uncertainty When Working with the Team?
Yes, that sense of uncertainty definitely exists. As long as the team remains cohesive, we can get through even when we don’t perform well. But if we lose that connection, the outcome becomes hard to predict.
During Your Playing Career, Did You Always Aspire to Become a Manager?
My love for the game has never changed. When I was a young player, I didn’t like purely recreational games. I preferred tactical drills. Yes, competitive confrontations have always been my favorite part of training. Even in my childhood, aimlessly kicking the ball around wasn’t my style—I was more enthusiastic about small-sided games or tactical exercises.
After officially retiring at the age of 31, I was also plagued by injuries at the time. In fact, since I was 27, I had aspired to become a manager. You have to know that taking charge of a top club like Manchester United requires a long and arduous journey.
After Achieving Brilliant Success at Sporting CP, You Joined Manchester United—How Would You Evaluate Your First Year in Charge?
As everyone knows, it’s really been very difficult. The Premier League is completely different from other leagues—it’s a whole different world. During my playing career, I faced English teams seven or eight times in the Champions League and Europa League, but actually managing here is an entirely different experience.
I think we struggled for a long time last year. We needed to score goals, but sometimes the problem isn’t just about scoring—what matters is that the players can contribute in various situations. They have the physicality to press, and that can change the game completely.
Regarding the Current Manchester United Team—It Seems There Are Only Leaders Like Bruno Fernandes or Harry Maguire
We do have several players who have been with the club for years, but the team is still struggling. This question has been on my mind constantly. It’s not just about leaders we need leaders, but sometimes I think what the team lacks is those “crazy guys.”
I think Matheus Cunha has a bit of that trait: he’s a good person, but on the pitch, no matter who you are, he doesn’t hold back. No matter which position he plays, he will drive forward with the ball. That’s the kind of mentality we need.
Harry Maguire has been a captain and played for the national team, but you can feel that when things aren’t going well, even experienced players like Bruno or others, we still slip into a slump. The past is history—we have to focus on the future.
Sometimes when you watch the situation on the pitch getting worse, you can see Yoane Wissa shine in a different way because he comes from a different background; when you observe Cunha, you can feel his frustration, but that frustration conveys the commitment to say “give me the ball.” That’s the spirit we’re currently lacking.
What Is the Team’s Goal This Season?
We must get back to European competition. But interestingly, this might be a bit hard for the fans to understand—I can’t predict what the future holds. However, my instinct tells me: we will play better and better. All the statistical indicators and match scenarios make me believe we can secure victories.
