Manchester United

Dan Roan
Sports editor

This was a highly accomplished and assured first media conference by Ruben Amorim, whose confidence was immediately apparent as he strode purposefully into a packed room at Carrington with a smile and "hi guys" to the assembled journalists, before fielding a host of questions from both English and Portuguese reporters.

This felt very different to the strained and adversarial media conferences that became a weekly feature of the final months of Erik ten Hag's tenure at Old Trafford.

Speaking in fluent English, Amorim seemed to relish the opportunity to articulate how he is feeling. Smiling throughout, he made clear his belief both in himself and in his players, claiming he is "the right guy at the right moment".

But he also acknowledged the scale of the task he faces here after years of decline, and the need for his team to improve. However, he also firmly rejected the suggestion that this was "the impossible job". "Of course not," he said.

He has acknowledged that Manchester United need time and has said that they need to improve. He has also given a reality check about the plans to put in place and the improvement that is required.

As the first managerial hire since Ineos took over the football operations at Old Trafford, a lot is resting on his shoulders. It was noticeable that Tom Crotty, a senior director at the petrochemicals company and a trusted advisor to billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, was in attendance.

However, if the coach was feeling the pressure that comes with that, and from being in one of the most scrutinised coaching roles in world football, he did not show it.

At the end, Amorim embraced several Portuguese reporters who had travelled here to cover his first media appearance.

Whether he forges such close bonds with their British counterparts remains to be seen. But based on this first performance, communication will not be a problem for the coach.

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Manchester United coach Darren Fletcher has been successful in reducing his touchline ban to two matches after being found guilty of misconduct against Brentford on Saturday 19 October.

Fletcher is alleged to have acted in an "improper and/or confrontational manner" and used "abusive and/or insulting words" towards the match officials during the Premier League victory at Old Trafford.

Former midfielder Fletcher admitted to this misconduct, but argued that it was only towards the fourth official and the referee and that he was not abusive.

Having been sanctioned with a three-match touchline ban and £7,500 fine, the independent Appeal Board has subsequently reduced the ban by one game and the fine down to £6,000.

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New Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim says that while journalists and pundits may not think it is possible for the Red Devils to win the Premier League title under him in the future, he has full belief in himself, his staff and his players to make that dream a reality.

Speaking at his first news conference as United boss, on Friday, the 39-year-old said: "I’m a little bit of a dreamer. I believe in myself. I believe in the club - we have the same mindset. I truly believe in the players. I know you don’t believe a lot but I do. I want to try new things.

"You guys don’t think it’s possible, I do."

The former Sporting Lisbon manager arrived in Manchester on 11 November, following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.

Asked where he thought he might need to "repair" the United squad, Amorim dismissed the suggestion his players needed fixing.

"I don’t know about repair." he replied. "We have space to grow as a team. We have to improve in a lot of areas. I know it’s a different way of playing and we are changing the way we play.

"We have to change the physical aspect of the team. I don’t know how long it will take. I know at Manchester United we have to win games. We need a lot of time because it’s a tough league, we have to improve a lot to try and win the title.

"It's not revolution. The football is not so different with five at the back, four at the back, three at the back. It’s not evolution or revolution, it’s a change in the way we play football."

Amorim takes charge of United for the first time on Sunday, at Ipswich Town (16:30 GMT).

Jonty Colman
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game at Ipswich Town (kick-off 16:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On his arrival and how it has compared to his expectations: "It’s bigger - you feel here’s a global club. There’s so much to do not just coaching the team. I’ve had a lot of help. I feel at home."

• On where he sees scope for improvement at United: "We have to improve in a lot of areas. We are changing the way we play. We have to change the physical aspect of the team. I don’t know how long it will take. I know at Manchester United we have to win games. We need a lot of time because it’s a tough league. We have to improve a lot to try and win the title.

• On what needs to change: "Simple things I think. We lose the ball too often, we have to be better at running back and we have to be very good in the details. We have to improve the small things. Understanding the small things, I think is what I'm good at."

• On receiving a message from former United boss Jose Mourinho: "He said it’s a big club, a lovely club with lovely people - and he’s correct. It still is. We are building a new club. I am a different guy. I hope to teach something different here to my players. It’s the best club in England and we want to win - that’s all."

• On recruitment: "We have to improve the process. I want to have a strong position on that because of how I want to play. It should be together but I think the manager should get the final say. I have a great responsibility when we choose players because that is something that should be done in this way - I should be able to choose the players."

• On whether managing United is the impossible job: "Of course not. I truly believe that. Call me naive [but] I truly believe I’m the right guy for the right moment. I’m not worried about that."

• On how he will implement his playing style upon the players he is inheriting: "As a coach, you have to choose one way or another. I always, 100%, our way. I prefer to risk but push in the first moment. Since the first moment, I believe so much in our way of playing - there’s no second way. We will adapt some players because we don’t have the right profiles as this squad was set up for a different system. When you see the team on Sunday, it will be similar players, but in the game it will be different."

Follow all of Friday Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news here

Full commentary of Ipswich Town v Manchester United from 16:30 GMT on Sunday on BBC Radio 5 Live

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BBC Radio 5 Live commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball believes a trip to Portman Road will be a "test" for new Manchester United head coach, as the Portuguese boss prepares to take charge of the Reds for the first time on Sunday, against Ipswich Town (16:30 GMT).

Speaking on the Football Daily podcast's The Commentator's View, Bruce-Ball said: "Ipswich are coming into it on the back of winning away at Tottenham.

"Portman Road has been absolutely bouncing for every home game this season and I actually think it will be quite a test for Manchester United.

"Funnily enough, Arne Slot started at Portman Road, just like Ruben Amorim is going to start at Portman Road.

"Liverpool won that game 2-0. I looked back at Pep Guardiola's first game in charge when they beat Sunderland 2-1 through a Paddy McNair own goal."

John Murray recalls the buzz around former United manager Erik ten Hag when he took charge of the Reds back in 2022, indicating that the sentiment around the Dutchman was similar to that which surrounds their new head coach now.

"Do you remember that the optimism for Erik ten Hag was quite high, wasn't it?" he said.

"People might forget that because of everything that happened and the way the exit has occurred this season.

"But there was quite high optimism for when Erik ten Hag was starting."

Listen to the full episodes on BBC Sounds

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha believes new Manchester United Ruben Amorim has "the energy they need" to succeed, starting at Ipswich on Sunday.

Speaking on BBC Sounds' Planet Premier League podcast, Onuoha said there has been a real uptick in the optimism at Old Trafford.

"When a new face comes in with positivity and isn't jaded by being pressed by the media there's hope and the potential for joy," he said. "That's the energy that they need.

"It's the change that has been on the cards for the last year."

Listen to Planet Premier League in full on BBC Sounds

Manchester United are ready to compete with Real Madrid for the signing of Atalanta winger Ademola Lookman. The 27-year-old Nigeria international could be targeted in the summer. (Caught Offside), external

United are also keen to re-sign England midfielder Angel Gomes, 24, on a free transfer when his contract at Lille expires next summer. (Mail), external

Finally, the Red Devils have also contacted Paris St-Germain over the possibility of signing France international striker Randal Kolo Muani, 25, on loan in January. (Le 10 Sport - in French), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Ipswich Town got their first Premier League win of the season before the international break while new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim is gearing up for his first game at the helm.

That sets up an intriguing battle at Portman Road on Sunday.

But, while they go head to head on the pitch, we have asked our fan writers for each club to go head to head off it.

Each fan got to ask three questions of the other before the big game...

Steve Mellen
Fan writer

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Here is what our Ipswich Town fan writer Steve Mellen had to say in response to questions from our Manchester United contributor Dale O'Donnell.

How important is Kieran McKenna to Ipswich Town?

He is the key to the success of the past two seasons and getting him to sign a new deal was the most important event in our summer.

We get nervous every time a Premier League club sacks their manager. He is brilliant.

Ipswich's last league win over United came in 1994. Can the Tractor Boys ruin Ruben Amorim's first game in charge?

Confidence is high after the past two performances. I am slightly wary of calling a win, as you assume the United players will want to impress their new boss.

I think as it is at Portman Road we can get a point, but we expect United to be up for it and to present a huge challenge.

Are you confident Ipswich will avoid relegation?

Hopeful rather than confident.

We seem to be finding our feet, as the win at Spurs shows, but the odds are against us as a team that was in League One in recent memory.

We will fight to the end and will not be daunted by any challenge, and McKenna's ability to improve players and maintain team spirit will be key.

Steve Mellen is the former editor of ITFC magazine Meet Me At Sir Alf, and also represented fanzine Those Were The Days

Dale O'Donnell
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Here is what our Manchester United fan writer Dale O'Donnell had to say in response to questions from our Ipswich Town contributor Steve Mellen.

What are the expectations this season now Ruben Amorim is in post?

Amorim will be tasked with delivering on several fronts, but United fans are desperate to see an attractive playing style that showcases a sense of identity.

We did not know which United would show up from one week to another under Erik ten Hag, and he lost his job for not winning enough football matches.

What was the biggest issue for you under Ten Hag?

The biggest issue in my eyes was how Ten Hag came from a successful Ajax side that played great football, and when he was unable to implement that system at United, he tried to make us a transitional team heavily reliant on the counter-attack.

The Dutchman may be a shrewd tactician but he watched his midfield regularly get overrun.

With Oasis reforming do you wish it was the early '90s again with Fergie at the helm and United churning out great teams from their own youth system?

No, because I enjoy reminiscing about those times.

The Class of '92 is not something any other English club has been able to replicate and can only be compared to the Busby Babes of the 1950s and 1960s. Our academy still produces the best young players in the country, as seen with Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.

As for Oasis, I hope their reformation means Manchester City go back to being rubbish.

Find more from Dale O'Donnell at Stretty News, external

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We asked for your views on things that are not being talked about at Manchester United but should be.

Here are some of your comments:

Alexander: How good Noussair Mazraoui has been for us. Looking like a steal. Simple, effective football paired with an unbeatable work rate. Easily the best player in this hopeless season.

Joe: Man Utd have a recent history of overpaying for players, underdeveloping them, and then selling them for a huge loss. Having said that, Mazraoui has to be the bargain of the season. He's hit the ground running and has been one of United's top performing players. He's hard working and importantly he's consistent. Seems like a steal.

Sam: A lot is rightly said about the academy players who are currently making an impact for the seniors - the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford. However, very few people are aware of just how dominant United's young players are. The under-18s have won nine from nine in the U18 Premier League, scoring 43 and conceding just four.

Brett: The rise of Garnacho. He has 11 goal involvements in 18 games. His game has come on massively this season and at only 20 years of age he looks an absolute star. However, media coverage has been non-existent, if not negative.

Nigel: Who is going to score the goals? Both Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee look out of their depth at this level. Top-class striker needed urgently but do United have the finances to get him?

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BBC Sport pundit Nedum Onuoha gives us his insight and opinion every fortnight on your Premier League club and this week he's in the hotseat answering your questions.

Anthony asked: Can Ruben Amorim turn Bruno Fernandes into the type of leader that Manchester United have had in the past?

Nedum replied: For Erik ten Hag to make him captain, it means he was doing something right on a day-to-day basis.

Leading by example is subjective because your perspective differs when you are either in or outside of the club. We only see these players for a few hours a week, so we don't see the rest of what they are doing.

Amorim will know Fernandes very well and how he wants him to fit into his style of play. Fernandes will take on that instruction, no doubt, and hope to start playing like he has in previous seasons.

I am sure he will be hoping to lead by example in terms of output under this new manager and be desperate to learn more things from him to improve his game.

Plus they will both want to win trophies, so it could be a match made in heaven.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Image source, Getty Images

Former England winger Aaron Lennon believes incoming Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim will instill his preferred 3-4-3 system from the start of his tenure at Old Trafford.

Amorim favoured the three at the back formation throughout his time in Portugal but there has been concerns as to the suitability of a squad built for Erik ten Hag in changing styles.

"I was one of those old school type of wingers and I’d be more than comfortable playing as a wing back in a 3-4-3," Lennon told Planet Premier League.

"I do believe he'll play the likes of Luke Shaw, who is obviously back into training, and [Diogo] Dalot.

"I think he'll play full-backs in those positions and then utilise the three up top, whether it be [Bruno] Fernandes, [Alejandro] Garnacho, ]Marcus] Rashford, [rasmus] Hojlund, whichever he goes with.

"I think he'll go more solid, especially at the beginning."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Alex Turk
Fan writer

Image source, PA Media

So, let's talk Pep Guardiola.

Ruben Amorim has naturally dominated the headlines regarding a manager in Manchester this week. But an anomalous spike momentarily diverted the discussion on Tuesday.

Manchester City's all-conquering boss is there to stay. At least for one more season after this one.

It is a little annoying, isn't it? But should Manchester United fans be bothered? I don't think so.

Arne Slot's almost flawless start at Liverpool has disappointed many an Old Trafford regular hoping for a post-Jurgen Klopp fall-off in the ilk of an all too familiar decline after the days of Sir Alex Ferguson.

It has also served as a reminder that Guardiola leaving City does not automatically mean the same, although there would be an air of vulnerability at Etihad Stadium.

The painful truth is that City are an expertly run club - 115 charges pending - and that is why, despite Txiki Begiristain's impending exit, the Catalan coach is staying put.

So, with that in mind, United must focus on themselves. Amorim's arrival has sparked a wave of optimism and rightly so.

It has been a painful decade. City and Liverpool battling for the Premier League while United scrap for a European spot is now the norm.

So the most important thing is to back Amorim and Ineos' efforts in preparing to pounce when Guardiola eventually does call it quits.

Find more from Alex Turk at Stretford Paddock, external

Sporting and Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande, 20, has spoken with Manchester United's Ruben Amorim about reuniting with his former manager at Old Trafford. (Metro), external

Agent Jorge Mendes is trying to secure a major move for 17-year-old Sporting and Portugal Under-21s winger Geovany Quenda, with Manchester United a possible destination. (Teamtalk), external

Rosenborg's Norwegian midfielder Sverre Nypan, 17, will not join Manchester United unless he is given assurances over first-team football. (Give Me Sport), external

Former Manchester United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy is keen to stay in the Premier League amid potential managerial opportunities at Southampton, Wolves and Crystal Palace. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column