Ruben Amorim, the Manchester United manager, is surprised that fans are telling him he is doing a good job.
Amorim shared his thoughts on his challenging time at Old Trafford when asked about the common things Manchester United supporters say to him.
The manager almost chuckled and said, “They often say something very strange to me: ‘You’re doing a good job.'”
“It’s sometimes hard to understand. This support is really important to me.”
Amorim is grateful for the backing from the United fans, especially because he acknowledges that his four months in charge have not been successful.
Manchester United is currently in the lower half of the Premier League table before their match against Arsenal. They have only won six and lost eight out of 18 league games under his management.
Amorim, 40, openly admits to making mistakes, particularly in managing relationships with staff outside of the player squad.
He mentioned to TNT Sports, “As a player, your focus is just on yourself. But as a manager, you need to consider many people, not just the players but all the staff.”
“All the staff are watching you, so you need to be mindful of that. Initially in Manchester, I didn’t handle this well because I was too focused on the matches.”
“Now, I’m starting to build a strong connection with both the staff and the players.”
This comes after Ineos, the club owners, confirmed another 200 job cuts in their recent cost-reduction efforts.
Amorim earned respect from some non-football staff by acknowledging that the team’s poor performance on the field was the reason for these job losses.
However, some within the team were reportedly less pleased with being singled out by the new manager. The immense legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson at United also looms over Amorim, just as it has for all his predecessors.
Amorim revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson has contacted him, saying, “He has already called me to offer some advice.”
The United manager also mentioned he might change his pre-game routine of handing a water bottle to his assistant, hoping to bring about a change in luck.
Amorim added, “This is the right time to make changes, when you are not winning enough.”
Those close to Amorim sometimes feel he is too open in interviews and press conferences.
His responses to a series of quick questions revealed more than typically expected.
The main takeaway was Amorim’s gratitude for the fans’ continued faith in him, even when he seems to be doubting himself.
He stated, “The way they support us, even when we are losing, during tough times, is truly special.”
Amorim has been a champion in Portugal as both a player for Benfica and a coach for Sporting Lisbon.
He eagerly anticipates the day when United fans will sing their version of John Denver’s classic song to celebrate winning their first Premier League title since Ferguson’s departure in 2013.
Amorim said, “The ‘Country Roads’ adaptation they sing is perfect. I truly dream of winning the title and hearing that song at Old Trafford.”
