Scott M: I’m optimistic about this appointment, but there are marked similarities between this and the appointment of EtH 2 years ago. Both in-demand, both lauded in their home country having had tangible success — how will this be any different?
This is an excellent question Scott, and I understand any hesitancy United fans have about the news. Every post-Ferguson manager has been lauded as a potential Messiah, only to get subsumed by a warped combination of problems.
The difference here will largely come down to the choices Amorim makes. Ten Hag spent a lot of money accumulating former Ajax players at Old Trafford, only to say in 2023-24 that United will never play like his former side. For some reason, the things that made him good slowly ebbed away, and his weakness came to the fore.
For Amorim to be different, he’d be wise to stick with what has worked for him at Sporting, rather than throw them out when faced with adversity. The fact he is a head coach, rather than manager, means he should (in theory) have more time to dedicate himself on the training ground, refining his 3-4-3.
He also appears to have a better idea of how to coach a midfield, which is something Ten Hag had trouble with once Casemiro encountered injury and suspension issues.
