One year ago, Rubén Jorge Ribeiro Amorim stepped onto the touchline at Portman Road, his first competitive match as manager of Manchester United Football Club. The 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town Football Club was far from glamorous — but it was the start of something bigger. Now, on November 24, 2024, Amorim returns to Old Trafford for his 52nd match in charge, this time against Everton Football Club, with the Red Devils sitting seventh in the Premier League and riding a five-game unbeaten streak. It’s not just survival anymore. It’s momentum. And Amorim knows it’s fragile.
A Club Transformed, One Player at a Time
When Amorim took over in November 2023, the squad was a patchwork of underperforming stars and aging veterans. Five of the starters from that Ipswich match — including Marcus Rashford, then 26 — are gone. Some were sold. Others released. A few simply faded out of the picture. The transformation hasn’t been loud, but it’s been decisive. Amorim didn’t just change tactics; he changed culture. He replaced noise with structure. He traded individual flair for collective responsibility."Right away I knew we would struggle with some things," Amorim said in a candid press briefing last week. "But it was that feeling of, yes, this is the best league in the world. It is maybe the best club in the world, but at the same time it is a big job and it is going to require a lot of work."
The October Turnaround
The turning point came quietly — in October 2024. After a rocky start to the season, United won three of four matches, including a gritty 2-1 victory over Sunderland Association Football Club at home. That "routine win," as Amorim called it, became the foundation. Then came the 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground, followed by another 2-2 stalemate at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Neither result was pretty. But both showed resilience. And that earned Amorim the Barclays Premier League Manager of the Month award for October 2024 — his first major individual honor in England."I change as a coach," Amorim told BeanymanSports in a widely shared YouTube interview. "I see things a little bit different. I have an idea how to play or to build up in certain ways. And I changed that. Everybody, we made it. We're through the last international break."
He admitted his preferred possession-heavy, high-pressing system from Sporting Clube de Portugal — which had won him acclaim in Lisbon — needed recalibration. The Premier League’s physicality, pace, and intensity forced adaptation. He dropped the rigid 3-2-4-1. He embraced a more flexible 4-2-3-1. He allowed his midfielders more freedom. He trusted his fullbacks to push higher. The result? A team that doesn’t just defend — it recovers, regroups, and strikes.
What’s Next? The Easiest Run on Paper
Manchester United haven’t played at Old Trafford since October 25 — a rare stretch of road games that tested their depth. Now, with a five-match home-and-away run ahead — including Everton, Brighton, Brentford, Crystal Palace, and West Ham — analysts call it the "easiest stretch on paper in the entire Premier League." That’s not just luck. It’s timing."It doesn’t matter what we did in the recent games," Amorim warned before the Everton match. "We cannot forget that we started in that point to suffer a lot last year." He’s right. Last season, United finished eighth — their lowest ever in the club’s 142-year history. That shadow still lingers.
There’s also a minor setback: Benjamin Sesko, the 21-year-old Slovenian forward signed from RB Leipzig, will miss the next few weeks with a knee injury. "Not serious," Amorim insisted. "He’s already feeling better. He should return around the time we lose players to the Africa Cup of Nations." The tournament begins in January 2025, and United could lose several key figures — including Casemiro and Christian Eriksen — to international duty.
The Bigger Picture
Amorim’s first year isn’t about trophies. It’s about rebuilding trust. With fans. With the board. With the players. He inherited a club drowning in chaos — and he’s slowly pulling it back to solid ground. The signings this summer — like Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Højlund — are starting to show promise. The academy is being integrated more meaningfully. The training ground atmosphere, once fractured, now hums with purpose.But here’s the thing: the Premier League doesn’t reward progress. It rewards results. And next month, when United face Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City in quick succession, the real test begins. Can this team hold its nerve? Can Amorim’s system survive the pressure? The answers won’t come in October. They’ll come in March.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has Ruben Amorim changed Manchester United’s playing style since last year?
Amorim shifted from his rigid, possession-based 3-2-4-1 system at Sporting CP to a more adaptable 4-2-3-1 at Manchester United, prioritizing defensive structure and quick transitions over sustained pressure. He’s allowed fullbacks to overlap more, given midfielders freedom to drift, and reduced reliance on individual brilliance — a direct response to the Premier League’s physicality and pace.
Why is the upcoming five-game schedule considered the easiest on paper?
United’s next five opponents — Everton, Brighton, Brentford, Crystal Palace, and West Ham — are all outside the top six and have struggled defensively this season. Combined, they’ve conceded 57 goals in 17 matches, the highest among mid-table sides. This stretch offers a rare chance to accumulate points before the December-January fixture congestion and international breaks.
What impact does Benjamin Sesko’s injury have on Manchester United’s attack?
Sesko’s absence removes a dynamic, pacey striker who offered a direct alternative to Rasmus Højlund. While not a prolific scorer yet, his ability to stretch defenses and press high complements United’s counter-attacking style. His injury forces Amorim to rely more on Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho in advanced roles — a less physical, more technical option that could limit effectiveness against compact defenses.
How does Amorim’s record compare to previous Manchester United managers in their first year?
Amorim’s seventh-place finish (as of November 2024) is the best for a United manager in their first season since Ole Gunnar Solskjær in 2018–19. Previous managers like Erik ten Hag (eighth in 2022–23) and José Mourinho (fifth in 2016–17) had better league finishes, but none matched Amorim’s turnaround from last season’s historic low of eighth place — especially without major signings in January 2024.
What does Amorim’s success mean for the future of Portuguese managers in the Premier League?
Amorim’s rise — following in the footsteps of Nuno Espírito Santo and Bruno Lage — signals a growing trust in Portuguese coaches who blend tactical discipline with player development. His ability to adapt his philosophy to English football’s demands could make him a blueprint for future hires, especially at clubs seeking structured, long-term rebuilds rather than quick fixes.
Is Manchester United now a legitimate top-four contender under Amorim?
Not yet. While the team is more organized and competitive, they still lack a world-class striker, consistent creativity in midfield, and the mental toughness to win tight games against elite sides. A top-four push requires beating Liverpool, Arsenal, and City — something they haven’t done since Amorim’s arrival. The next three months will define whether this is a rebuild — or a real resurgence.
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Aarav Sengupta
Hello, I am Aarav Sengupta, a consulting and marketing expert with a passion for Indian culture and current affairs. I love to delve into the intricacies of Indian life and share my insights through writing. With a keen eye on the Indian news landscape, I strive to bring valuable perspectives on various topics. My goal is to provide readers with a fresh, engaging, and informative outlook on Indian society and the world of marketing.
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