Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes says it is the “right time” for new manager Rubén Amorim to bring a change of “energy” to the club.
When Amorim takes charge in his first game for United against Ipswich on November 24, live sky sportsHe will become United’s sixth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
The Portuguese replaces Erik ten Hag, who was sacked after two and a half years following United’s worst start to a Premier League season which culminated in a 2-1 defeat at West Ham. Ruud van Nistelrooy took command on an interim basis, steadying the ship with three wins and a draw.
Former Sporting player Fernandes believes the newly appointed Amorim has what it takes to turn United’s fortunes around.
“This is the right time for him to come and bring his energy, his qualities and his knowledge of football because he did something very special at Sporting,” he told MUTV.
“I watched almost all of Sporting’s games. [Amorim] He is someone who brought excitement back to the club. He brought a lot of good things to the club and I hope he can do the same here because sometimes a person can change the energy of a space if the time is right.
“They went like 20 years without winning the league, he made them win the league again and he did it twice in four years with great success.” [young] team in a time of change. Hopefully it can be a successful moment for us.”
Former United manager Ten Hag was often criticized for United’s approach to games, with many believing that the Dutchman failed to impart a discernible style of play.
Fernandes himself had failed to score this season under the previous management. His first goal came in the first game after Ten Hag was sent off, during a period in which he scored four goals in four games with Van Nistelrooy.
When asked what he is most excited about about his new boss, Fernandes said:
“He’s done some really good things tactically, from what I’ve seen. Obviously, he cannot transform what he has done in the sport up to this point.
“We have different players and different ways of playing. But I am sure that the idea of football that he has, regardless of the way he wants to play, will bring us success.”
Fernandes left Sporting before Amorim took over the club, but feels that, after watching from afar, the connection Amorim can build with the players can bring success.
Ruben Amorim celebrated with his team Sporting’s 4-2 victory over Braga in his last game as coach before taking on the same role at Manchester United in the Premier League.
“For me what stands out is the connection he has with the players. When the coach leaves your club in the middle of the season with everything he has yet to win, you see the way they say goodbye to him. The way they make him feel part of the team and the way they treat him shows that he has great character and that he is someone who gives everything for the players.
“I’ve seen a lot of moments where players were struggling and he goes to the press conference to defend his players and give them the best chance to shine.
“I had a very young team so I needed to do that, hopefully I can do the same for us.”
