Ruben Amorim exclusive: Manchester United boss pledges to 'defend' players who 'buy the idea' in bid for success

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Ruben Amorim will witness a packed Old Trafford for the first time on Thursday night, with Manchester United's Europa League clash against Bodo/Glimt shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+. The Portuguese boss promised to defend his new players, as long as they buy in to his "different" philosophy. The 39-year-old said the match against the Norwegian champions will be "like a dream".

'We are all together' - Amorim says he will 'defend' Man Utd players

Video credit: TNT Sports

Ruben Amorim has pledged to defend his new Manchester United squad from criticism, provided they show total buy-in to his philosophy.

The Portuguese will get his first taste of a packed Old Trafford on Thursday evening when the Red Devils welcome Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, a clash shown live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Amorim is the seventh permanent manager to take the reins since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson and admitted his style of football is "different" to previous incumbent Erik ten Hag.

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But while he stopped short of claiming his way of playing was better than the Dutchman’s, the 39-year-old recognised his charges would have to adapt and learn new habits.

"I have an idea how to play," Amorim told TNT Sports. "I’m not saying it is better than the last one; it’s different. So I think we have to change those habits.

"I’m not saying they are bad habits, but we have to change different things in the team to play the way I see football."

'Some big names could be left out' - What will Amorim's Man Utd midfield be?

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Amorim prefers a 3-4-3 formation, as shown in his first game in charge against Ipswich Town.

Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot were tasked with functioning as flying wing-backs, while Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho sat behind centre-forward Marcus Rashford in the 1-1 draw.

And though a point was not the desired result, Amorim promised to "defend" his players if they show dedication to his new way of playing.

"For me, the only way is to show the players that we are all together, in that no one here is alone. I’m here for them. I will defend them," said Amorim.

"I have to speak with you before the matches, after the match. If they work hard and if they buy the idea, I will be responsible to that way, to support that way and I want to do that.

"So I think in the future, they will feel that we are not alone. We are a team, we are all together and we have to trust each other. The rest is with me and I will deal with that."

Amorim on trophy aims, pressure, and settling in at a 'special club'

Video credit: TNT Sports

First Old Trafford experience ‘like a dream’

As the former Sporting CP head coach searches for the first win at his new club, a debut under the lights at Old Trafford beckons on Thursday.

Their opponents, Bodo/Glimt, have won three of the last four Eliteserien titles and will wrap up their fourth in five seasons with a win on Sunday.

The Arctic Circle dwellers also sit one point ahead of Manchester United in the Europa League standings at the halfway stage.

But whether United leapfrog the Norwegians on Thursday or not, Amorim said his first experience of a full Old Trafford will be unforgettable.

"I hope to win the game," said Amorim. "That is really, really important. I know that, they told me here at the club, the noise will be amazing.

"It will be a special moment and I want to have this special moment with a win. That will be very, very special.

"But I already know that it’s going to be something that I will live like a dream and I will remember for the rest of my life."

Amorim expects first Man Utd home game to be 'like a dream'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Winning the Europa League may represent Manchester United’s most straightforward route to both Champions League football and silverware in Amorim’s first season.

But the Portuguese insisted that the main aim of the club should be "to win titles", no matter the timescale.

He said: "I just want to go to each game and try to win it, to play to win it. That is the main goal. In the final [sic] of the season, I don’t know which place we will get, but for me, the goal is to win titles.

"So it doesn’t matter if it is the end of this season, the other season, the goal for everybody here should be not third place, fourth place; it should be winning titles. So let’s see how long it will take."

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