Ruben Amorim: Bruno Fernandes hopes new Manchester United boss can emulate 'connection' with his Sporting squad

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Bruno Fernandes has hailed the personable character of new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, and hopes the 39-year-old can create a similar connection with his new squad as he did at Sporting. Amorim took charge of the Premier League club on Monday, and his first match at Old Trafford will be live on TNT Sports - against Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Europa League.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

Bruno Fernandes hopes that new boss Ruben Amorim can replicate the "connection" he had with the Sporting squad at Manchester United.

Amorim leaves the Portuguese club after a very successful four-and-a-half year spell, which saw his men pick up four major trophies as well as being established in European competitions.

Ahead of his move to Old Trafford, Amorim led Sporting to a commanding 4-1 win over United's rivals Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League - an evening filled with emotion, as the highly-rated manager bid farewell to his home supporters to a fantastic ovation from players and fans alike.

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And Fernandes felt the manner with which Amorim graciously left the club bodes well for United, and speaks to the manager's "great character".

“Obviously for me, what stands out is the connection he has with the players,” the United captain said.

“You see it at the end of the game when a manager is going from your club in the middle of the season and with all the things that they have still to win.

“And you see the way they say goodbye to him, the way they feel, they make him feel part of the team and how they treat him.

“So it shows that this is a great character and he's someone that gives his all to the players.”

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Amorim also has a strong track-record of developing young talent, most notably helping Nuno Mendes, Matheus Nunes and United midfielder Manuel Ugarte through the Sporting system.

And Fernandes praised Amorim's approach in giving youthful players "the best opportunity to shine" - another trait he hopes the former Braga boss will bring to Old Trafford.

“I've seen many, many moments where players were struggling and he kept his faith in them,” the midfielder said.

“He always goes to the press conference and always defends their players and always kept them on under himself to give them the best opportunity to shine.

“He had a really youthful team so they needed that and hopefully when he comes here, he can do the same again with the youth.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

“Us players with the most experience, we have to help him to get that and get the best out of every player at this club.”

Amorim picks up the reins after Ruud van Nistelrooy's successful interim spell, with United picking up three wins and a draw in the Dutchman's four matches in temporary charge.

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