Rúben Amorim believes he is “where I am supposed to be” after spending his first week as Manchester United’s head coach.
After bidding a final farewell to Sporting with a thrilling 4-2 win at Braga, Amorim checked in at United’s Carrington training complex on Monday. The 39-year-old was greeted by the chief executive Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox and on Tuesday met the players not on international duty.
On Friday, United released a clip from Amorim’s first interview with the club’s in-house TV channel which showed him looking around a floodlit Old Trafford.
“You watch on TV and you know that it’s big and it’s impressive, but when you are here you can feel it and I think you feel the history,” Amorim says. “I’m really, really proud to be a Manchester United coach, so it’s amazing. It’s a real honour to be here.”
Told by the interviewer that there is a “weight to the place but it does lift you up”, Amorim says: “That’s really funny because I feel very relaxed. Maybe because it’s not game day, when we have a game I’m a different guy but I really don’t feel the weight.
“I’m really excited and I’m quite relaxed you know. I think I am where I am supposed to be. That’s the feeling.”
Amorim’s first game after succeeding Erik ten Hag will be at Ipswich next Sunday.
Ruud van Nistelrooy has described representing United as a “privilege and honour” after his spell in interim charge. In a post on X, he wrote: “To everyone at Manchester United, in particular the backroom staff, the players and the fans. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible efforts and support.
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“It has been a privilege and honour to represent the club as a player, coach and manager, and I will always cherish the memories we have shared together. Manchester United will always have a special place in my heart, and I hope there are many more glory days at Old Trafford very soon – not only because I want the club to do well, but because you all deserve it! All the best and take care, Ruud.”
