LONDON: Ruben Amorim has been announced as Manchester United’s new manager to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag.
The 39-year-old Portuguese coach, who won two Primeira Liga titles with Sporting Lisbon, signed a contract until 2027 and will join the club on November 11.
“Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Ruben Amorim as head coach of the men’s first team, subject to work visa requirements,” United said on their official website.
“He will be with the team until June 2027 with an additional year option, once he completes his responsibilities with his current club.”
United describe Amorim as one of the most exciting and high-calibre young coaches in European football.
Ruud van Nistelrooy will continue to manage the team until Amorim arrives at Old Trafford.
United sacked Ten Hag on Monday after a 2-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham left them 14th in the Premier League, with just three wins from nine games.
LONDON: Liverpool boss Arne Slot insists Erik ten Hag will be back at “a big club again” after being sacked by Manchester United.
Ten Hag’s two-year spell as United manager came to an end yesterday, with the English giants languishing in 14th place in the league following a 2-1 defeat at West Ham last weekend – his final game in charge.
Slot’s team was also involved in putting pressure on his compatriot from the Netherlands, Ten Hag with a 3-0 win at Old Trafford last September.
But despite the animosity between Liverpool and United, the Reds boss – in his first season in the hot seat at Anfield after replacing Jurgen Klopp – was sympathetic when asked about the Ten Hag during yesterday’s pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s League Cup clash with Brighton at home.
“He is a Dutch manager which makes it more difficult for me,” said Slot, 46.
“I sympathize with his plight. We’re all in this job so we know it can happen.
“I only know him a little bit and I know how hard he works. For him it’s certainly disappointing. But we also know how good he was at Ajax and he won two trophies (League Cup and FA Cup) here.
“I think you’ll see him at a big club again after this.”
Ten Hag helped United deny Premier League champions Manchester City a domestic double with a surprise FA Cup final victory over their neighbors at Wembley last May.
“I feel really sorry for him, it’s one of the best jobs in football,” City manager Pep Guardiola said of Ten Hag.
“There’s only us, not teachers or architects or anything like that.
“I wish him the best and he will come back stronger. If the results are not good enough, you will be fired. No one is different, including myself.”
LONDON: Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he could only blame his team’s finishing after the 2-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham late last night.
United slumped to 14th in the Premier League (EPL) table after Jarrod Bowen’s controversial stoppage-time penalty gifted the Hammers all three points.
Crysencio Summerville put West Ham ahead against the run of play 16 minutes from time before Casemiro equalised.
Ten Hag were furious at the awarding of the penalty after VAR intervened when Matthijs de Ligt collided with Danny Ings in the penalty box.
United captain Bruno Fernandes’ red card was withdrawn after he was sent off in last month’s 3-0 defeat at Tottenham and Ten Hag said VAR was inconsistent in challenging the referee’s decision in the middle of the pitch.
“Before the season they explained the VAR process – only when it was clear they could intervene,” said Ten Hag.
“What they didn’t do against Spurs, it was a bad decision. Now they made a bad decision and they both had an impact on the game. I’m not criticizing the officials, I’m criticizing the process.”
However, less sharp finishing in front of goal caused United to fail to get a much-needed win.
Diogo Dalot missed chances despite the goal gaping, while Alejandro Garnacho and Fernandes were guilty of missing golden opportunities in their dominant first half.
“We created too many chances, played good football, especially in the first half. That’s how I want my team to perform whether with the ball or not,” stressed Ten Hag.
United’s tally of eight goals from their first nine games is their worst in the EPL era.
BARCELONA: Barcelona manager Hansi Flick says his side’s 4-1 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League has boosted their confidence ahead of Saturday’s Clasico clash with Real Madrid.
Former Bayern boss Flick is happy to help Barca end their win streak over the German club.
“This win is unbelievable. Bayern are a good team, with great players who know how to play very well, you want to see them in action.
“Of course a win like this needs to be celebrated. It gives us confidence in our quality ahead of this Saturday’s game.
“What this team showed proved that you can achieve great success. We played very bravely, that’s why I’m quite happy
“We have less time than Real Madrid to prepare for the Clasico, but all the players want to play. We will be ready,” said Flick.
After losing six in a row – with Barcelona conceding 22 goals to Bayern’s just four, including an 8-2 defeat in the Champions League quarter-finals four years ago – the Spanish giants have been more aggressive this time around.
Raphinha scored a hat-trick to seal Barcelona’s win at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium, with former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski also scoring.
Bayern burst into the game with a single goal through Harry Kane.
WOLVERHAMPTON, England: Manchester City’s controversial last-minute winner against Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday was justified and justified by his players’ patience, manager Pep Guardiola said.
As City looked set for a disappointing 1-1 draw at Molineux despite full possession, John Stones headed in a 95th-minute corner beyond the reach of Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa.
Referee Chris Kavanagh initially disallowed the goal because City midfielder Bernardo Silva was too close to Sa, but the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled he was not obstructing vision and Kavanagh reversed the decision.
“Bernardo didn’t disturb the position… Sa had perfect vision. Phil’s (Foden) corner and header were amazing,” said Guardiola, who wildly celebrated the 2-1 win, making it a club record 31 league games without lose.
“We are not used to winning games at the end of action, like Jurgen Klopp (former manager) in Liverpool where it happened many times. It is a good feeling for us,” he told the media.
Guardiola’s men had 78 percent of possession against Wolves, who are struggling at the bottom of the league and were desperate to defend once they took an early lead.
“With 11 players in the penalty box, basically it’s too difficult,” said Guardiola, recalling his side’s defeat at Molineux last season. “But we persevered… We stuck to our ways and it was too good.”
He however sympathized with the opposing team.
“We’ve been in that situation, when you lose at the end of the action. But this is the game,” said Guardiola.
“We played the way we wanted to play and it’s nice to be here, to score in the last 50 seconds and go top of the league (for a while).”
With Sparta Prague awaiting them in the Champions League early this Thursday morning, Guardiola said he did not believe injured defender Kyle Walker or midfielder Kevin De Bruyne could be ready to start.
“We have a few days to train, but I don’t think so (both will perform),” he said.