Manchester United fans are in for a bit of a wait before they can officially welcome Ruben Amorim as the new manager. Despite United finalizing an agreement with Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, Amorim, who’s 39 years old, won’t be stepping into his new role at Old Trafford until late November. This decision came after Manchester United chose to part ways with Erik ten Hag, following a lackluster start to the season that left them languishing in 14th place in the Premier League. Ten Hag’s dismissal earlier this week signaled a fresh chapter for United, with high hopes pinned on Amorim’s managerial skills to reinvigorate the squad and turn around their fortunes.
Ruud van Nistelrooy, a familiar face for United supporters, has temporarily stepped up as caretaker manager. Van Nistelrooy’s first game back in a managerial role couldn’t have gone better, as he led the team to a thrilling 5-2 victory over Leicester City in the Carabao Cup. His appointment has already brought a spark to United’s game, filling fans with optimism and excitement. Originally, there was some hope that Amorim might be able to join the squad for their upcoming Premier League clash against Chelsea this Sunday. However, due to contractual obligations and the required notice period with Sporting Lisbon, it’s been confirmed that Van Nistelrooy will handle not just this game but three more before Amorim officially takes the reins.
Amorim’s transition to United will take a few more weeks, as he completes his 30-day notice with Sporting Lisbon. As part of his farewell with Sporting, he will oversee three remaining fixtures, including a Portuguese league match against Estrela da Amadora on Friday, a high-stakes Champions League clash against Manchester City on Tuesday, and his last game with Sporting, which will be a home fixture against Braga on Sunday, November 10. After these matches, Amorim will finally conclude his duties at Sporting and prepare to start a new chapter in the Premier League. His debut as Manchester United’s manager is now expected on Sunday, November 24, in an away fixture against Ipswich Town. This match will have an added layer of intrigue, as United will be up against Ipswich’s current coach Kieran McKenna, a former Manchester United staff member.
While Amorim finishes his duties in Portugal, Van Nistelrooy will face a series of challenging fixtures. After the match against Chelsea, United are set to play against Greek side PAOK Thessaloniki in the Europa League. With United still looking for their first win in the competition this season, the game against PAOK will be crucial to keep their European hopes alive.
Reflecting on his role during this transition, Van Nistelrooy expressed his commitment to supporting Manchester United in any way he can, emphasizing his dedication to building a strong foundation for the future. Following the victory over Leicester City, he shared his perspective, saying, “I came here to assist the club. In this role, I’ll help as needed. My focus is to support the club in building for the future.” His words suggest that while his time as caretaker manager may be temporary, he’s fully committed to stabilizing the team and preparing them for Amorim’s arrival.