Enzo Maresca has shared his thoughts on Manchester United’s recent decision to hire Ruben Amorim as their new head coach, expressing confidence in the Portuguese manager’s style and approach.
According to Maresca, Amorim “knows the way” he wants his teams to play, and he’s sure the new coach will bring that same energy and tactical vision to Manchester United.
United made the announcement on Friday, just four days after parting ways with Erik ten Hag following a tough start to the season that left them 14th in the Premier League. Amorim, who is 39 years old, joins from Sporting Lisbon on a two-and-a-half-year contract, which includes the option to extend for an additional year.
In an interesting twist, Amorim won’t be taking immediate charge at Old Trafford. He’s set to manage Sporting Lisbon for three more matches, meaning he won’t be on the sidelines this Sunday when United hosts Maresca’s Chelsea. However, this hasn’t stopped Maresca from sharing his excitement about the newest addition to the Premier League.
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“I’ve watched a lot of Sporting games,” Maresca shared, “and I know how they play. It’s a fantastic style—the way they defend, the way they attack. I have no doubt Ruben Amorim is going to do a great job at Manchester United.” His praise comes just as Chelsea prepares to face United, aiming to build on their strong start to the season.
Chelsea currently sits sixth in the league with 17 points from nine matches, and a win against United could see them climb to third. For United, however, this match will be led by interim coach Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took on the role following ten Hag’s departure. The Dutchman made an impressive start on Wednesday, leading United to a 5-2 win over Leicester.
Reflecting on his temporary position, van Nistelrooy said, “Erik ten Hag brought me back to Manchester United in the summer, and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity. It’s an honor to manage the club, even on an interim basis. I’m here to give my all to help turn our season around.”
Van Nistelrooy spoke passionately about the team, saying, “I love being back at Old Trafford, working with the team every day. We’ve seen glimpses of our potential this season, but it hasn’t been consistent. Now is the time for everyone at the club to come together and make a change while we still have time.”
United was quick to finalize their agreement with Amorim, although it came with some challenges. According to reports, the club paid an additional €1 million on top of the £8.3 million release clause in his Sporting Lisbon contract to expedite his arrival. This will give Amorim a chance to settle in and get to know the team during the international break before his first match on November 24.
In the interim, van Nistelrooy will continue leading the team through important games, including league matches against Chelsea and Leicester and a Europa League fixture with PAOK. As for his own future, van Nistelrooy remains unsure, but there is reportedly strong support from United players for him to stay on and work alongside Amorim once he arrives.
With the club’s recent struggles, players, staff, and fans alike are hopeful that Amorim’s fresh approach and tactical flair will bring new energy to Old Trafford. United supporters are eager to see what their new head coach has in store and optimistic that better days are ahead.
