Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has shown his support for new manager Ruben Amorim, saying the Portuguese manager has the pedigree and charisma needed to shine at Old Trafford.
In a recent episode of his YouTube series, Rio Ferdinand Presents, the former United player detailed the crucial distinctions that set Amorim apart from his predecessor, Erik ten Hag.
“If Pep Guardiola were to leave Manchester City, I firmly believe that Amorim would be a strong candidate to take his place,” observed Ferdinand, drawing a parallel between the two coaches.
“While there are similarities with Erik ten Hag’s approach during his time at Ajax, Amorim’s remarkable trajectory is noteworthy. He inherited a club stuck in a frustrating period, unable to keep up with their fierce rivals, Porto and Benfica. The fans was disillusioned and the internal chaos was evident. However, he arrived and immediately reversed the situation, redefining the style of play and raising expectations in all spheres.”
Ferdinand emphasized that the main difference between Amorim and Ten Hag lies in their character and charisma. “What I have heard from several players and industry acquaintances is that Amorim’s character and charisma represent a significant evolution in relation to Ten Hag. United need a figure who can say with confidence: ‘I see potential in you and in you’, regardless of past events,” he declared.
Ferdinand highlighted Amorim’s role in developing talent, mentioning: “This is a man who turned Manuel Ugarte into a player worth £60 million—a transformative job that changed the fortunes of a club, and that is no easy task, regardless of the league.”
He recalled a recent conversation with former teammate Nani, who stated: “Rio, the players like him; they play for him, they value him and respect him a lot.” Ferdinand noted that Amorim has a direct and clear approach, in contrast to some perceived inconsistencies in Ten Hag’s disciplinary measures. “It is essential to establish clear lines when approaching these issues with players,” he concluded.
