Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Manchester United: Rio Ferdinand reveals why Ruben Amorim set up to succeed where Erik ten Hag failed

Ruben Amorim’s character and charisma will be the biggest difference in comparison to Erik ten Hag, one Manchester United legend has claimed.

That is the view of former defender Rio Ferdinand, who has taken to social media to give his reaction to the managerial appointment which was announced on Friday.

As confirmed by United’s official website, the Portuguese tactician doesn’t actually take charge until November 11 because he is fulfilling his obligations to his current club, Sporting Lisbon, thus delaying the start to the latest new era at Old Trafford.

So as United supporters await the arrival of their new head coach, Ferdinand has been in contact with those who know Amorim closely to gain an insight as to what the 39-year-old is like and what the players can expect. And it’s safe to say the TNT Sports pundit is pleased with the feedback he’s received.

"I spoke to Nani actually the other day and he said: 'Rio, whatever you want to talk about, tactics or whatever, the players play for him, they love him and they respect him'” Ferdinand said in a video posted on X.

"One of the issues I think with Erik ten Hag and what he [Nani] said about Amorim is he's very straight, very straight and very direct.

"From what I'm hearing, I'm talking to people that have played for [him] but also been around [him] as a human, I think the character and the charisma compared to Erik ten Hag will be the big differentiator, will be the big difference."

Amorim becomes United’s sixth full-time manager since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013 and his first game in charge will be away at Ipswich after the November international break.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.