Ruben Amorim is excited about reuniting with former Sporting Lisbon midfielder Manuel Ugarte at Manchester United, after the two were separated last year. As he prepares for his move to English football, Amorim has spoken publicly about Ugarte, one of his new players, for the first time. His official transition from Lisbon to Manchester will take place on Monday.
Before heading to England, Amorim will manage Sporting one last time on Sunday in a game against Braga in the Primeira Liga. On that same day, Ruud van Nistelrooy is expected to conclude his interim managerial role with Manchester United in their clash with Leicester City.
Throughout his final weeks at Sporting, Amorim has expressed a desire to keep the focus on his current club and their title defense, showing respect for Sporting and its fans by minimizing discussions about his upcoming role at United. However, before the Braga match, he couldn’t hold back his enthusiasm at the prospect of working with Ugarte again. Ugarte previously excelled under Amorim, making 85 appearances for Sporting before transferring to Paris Saint-Germain in a £51 million deal last summer. Now, with Ugarte’s recent £42 million move to Manchester United, the midfielder is gradually finding his feet in English football.
In an interview with TNT Sports Mexico, Amorim expressed his admiration for Ugarte’s abilities and potential, noting that reuniting with him at United will be a significant advantage as Amorim seeks to implement his playing philosophy. “All the Uruguayans I’ve managed have been remarkable, and Ugarte is an immensely talented player with a lot of potential,” Amorim said. “I’m thrilled to have him back with me at Manchester United!”
Amorim’s primary task will be adapting United’s current squad to his preferred 3-4-3 system, a formation that has helped Sporting become one of the top-scoring teams in Europe. Ugarte’s experience with Amorim’s style of play could make him an invaluable asset as the team transitions under the new coach.
Ugarte has already been gaining playing time under current manager Erik ten Hag, which has helped him adjust to the English game. Amorim sees Ugarte potentially forming a promising midfield partnership with Manchester United’s young talent Kobbie Mainoo, combining Ugarte’s defensive strength with Mainoo’s creative abilities.
Amorim’s arrival at Manchester United, beginning officially after his final match with Sporting, is a significant shift for the club. The reunion with Ugarte could prove pivotal, as Amorim values Ugarte’s skills, experience, and familiarity with his system. His anticipated 3-4-3 formation will challenge the squad’s adaptability, requiring players to exhibit tactical awareness and versatility. Ugarte’s understanding of Amorim’s methods could position him as a central figure in this restructuring, potentially anchoring the midfield and providing stability in Amorim’s attacking style.
Although Amorim has remained respectful of his obligations at Sporting and refrained from discussing his plans for United in depth, his enthusiasm to work with Ugarte and the rest of the squad indicates he is keen to bring a new vision to Old Trafford. Known for transforming Sporting into one of Europe’s highest-scoring teams, Amorim’s offensive approach may be a game-changer for United, with Ugarte likely to play a pivotal role in shaping the midfield in English football.
