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2 weeks ago
18 Manchester United were criticised for their handling of the managerial situation by TNT Sports duo Joe Cole and Martin Keown on Saturday afternoon.
Amorim, who has won two Primeira Liga titles with Sporting Lisbon, will succeed Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
INEOS wasted no time getting their desired man after sacking Ten Hag on Monday, following United’s 2-1 defeat against West Ham in the Premier League.
United are currently 13th in the Premier League after a slow start to the season. This made Ten Hag’s position untenable in the eyes of the hierarchy.
Speaking to reporters on Friday night, Amorim explained that it was ‘now or never’ to accept the United job. A role every manager dreams of.
Joe Cole and Martin Keown weigh in on Manchester United
Photo by TNT SportsTNT Sports decided to squeeze United into their coverage before Newcastle hosted Arsenal in the Premier League. They had Cole and Keown at the ready for a soundbite.
Cole pointed out the “strange” nature of Amorim’s comment, saying: “I think it’s been messy. I think he said he begged Manchester United to finish the season with Sporting Lisbon but Manchester United wanted him now, that’s a strange thing to say coming into the club.
“But he’s an impressive manager. What he’s done in the Portuguese league has been nothing short of remarkable with Sporting Lisbon’s budget against Benfica and Porto, he’s been incredible, but this is a different beast.
“I think it’s a strange one. All the things we’re saying about Ruben Amorim we were saying about Erik ten Hag, I hope it works for him.”
This exaggerated take from Cole can only be laughed at… He completely forgets the fact Amorim is still playing Sporting fans on side and he didn’t want to disrespect the club.
Another point I would like to put forward is that any other club would be credited for getting their man quickly. United decided they wanted Amorim and got him immediately. There is no way to look at that negatively unless you’ve got an agenda against United.
Credit when it’s due, eh?
Amorim leaves a Sporting side that remain unbeaten this season after 10 matches – sitting six points clear at the top of the Primeira Liga.
Keown was in agreement with Cole that United’s handling of the situation has been a concern. He felt Ten Hag could have been sacked “sooner”.
He added: “Dan Ashworth and his team of executioners that were there, really when they took the job in the summer. I know they just got their feet under the table but it seemed very obvious, they lost 14 games last year in the Premier League, eighth in the table – worst finish in the Premier League.
“So for me the timing was odd, should maybe have happened sooner. The FA Cup win papered over the cracks that were very visible, so now this is a huge new chapter coming ahead for Manchester United and this weekend Van Nistelrooy, tough match [at home to Chelsea].
“They looked a lot better, in midweek I thought there was a reaction, a bit more electricity about the performance, but big changes now for that dressing room, who in that dressing room is really up for that challenge?
“There’s been successive managers over the years hasn’t there, they’ve made lots of changes they probably thought ‘our feet are just under the table, let’s give it time’ but the obvious decision, everybody in football knew.
“No likes to see anyone lose their job but it was very obvious to make that change and now they’ve just made it, six months later.”
“This is a different beast”
Joe Cole and Martin Keown discuss Man United’s new manager Rúben Amorim and the sacking of Erik ten Hag 🧠@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK 📺 pic.twitter.com/h2sjxcAfGv
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 2, 2024

 
