Ruben Amorim has said he expects Manchester United to ‘suffer’ before improving as the side adapts to his methods.
Amorim took charge of Manchester United for the first time during the 1-1 draw at Ipswich on Sunday and next faces Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League tomorrow evening.
The Portuguese coach implemented his preferred 3-4-3 formation in his opening fixture and it is a tactic he intends to continue with, given his success at Sporting Lisbon.
At his pre-match press conference, Amorim was asked on the timeframe before improvement is seen in performances and results.
“It is hard to compare things. We are in a different level, this is a different league, so it is harder than in Portugal, but I also have more experienced players, they all play for national teams. They just need an increase to their confidence.
“At the moment I don’t know how to answer that question. I don’t know how long, but I know that with a lot of games without time to train it will be tough, for me, but it will be tougher for them because they are on the pitch and will suffer a little bit. I will try to help them.”
Fernandes taking responsibility to ease Amorim adaptation
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes also spoke to the media and discussed how both he and the players are adapting to the new manager. He outlined his role in helping to get the new manager’s methods across.
“You always have to adapt to different ideas and positions, even sometimes on playing in the same system you have to adapt to different ideas of playing – on the ball and off the ball – because the manager can ask different things.
“It is not difficult for me to adapt in any position. I am really well aware of that.
“During training I try to absorb everything, of every position. I try to have an understanding of the game because being the captain the manager cannot always give the message from the bench to the pitch, because of the noise or whatever, so as a captain you have to try to resolve the situation together with your team-mates. Having knowledge of every position is my role.”
