Ruben Amorim cracks Sir Alex Ferguson joke as incoming Man Utd boss addresses pressure

Ruben Amorim showcased his character as he faced further questioning this afternoon ahead of his Manchester United arrival on November 11. Sporting host United’s rivals Manchester City in Lisbon in the Champions League on Tuesday, when Amorim will bid farewell to the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

On the eve of the blockbuster European clash against Pep Guardiola’s side, the Red Devils unsurprisingly dominated sections of his press conference.

Amorim will oversee the City match and Sunday’s trip to his former club Braga before becoming the sixth permanent manager at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson’s 2013 retirement.

And the 39-year-old has made it clear that he is fully aware the result against the Champions League favourites will impact expectations.

“If the result [vs City] is negative, expectations will drop. If we win, they will think that the new Alex Ferguson has arrived,” Amorim joked.

“What interests me is to win, [having] a good farewell in Alvalade, win in Braga and start a new adventure in Manchester.”

Amorim will spend the November international break settling into life at Carrington and working with his new squad.

The Portuguese tactician’s first game in charge falls on November 24 when United travel to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town.

Ahead of his arrival in England, Amorim is convinced his native tongue won’t be an issue, considering he is fluent in English.

He explained: “My communication at the beginning will be simpler because it is in English.

“I think I will have to spend three months [learning]… they say that is enough. The players will not be offended if I say that they are more basic. I give training sessions here in English.

“It will be a different adaptation, but my life will be the same, there is a way of playing, an idea. But communication will be more basic.”

Ruud van Nistelrooy will remain United’s interim manager for another two matches this week before handing the keys over to Amorim and returning to his coaching role, at least for the short term.

The Dutchman has overseen two positive results since Erik ten Hag’s sacking, starting with a 5-2 victory against Leicester City to progress to the Carabao Cup quarter-finals last week.

On Sunday, United recorded a 1-1 draw with Chelsea but would’ve been disappointed not to take all three points, having been denied by Moises Caicedo’s long-range dagger.

This weekend, Leicester return to Old Trafford in the Premier League. But first, Van Nistelrooy has the opportunity to clinch United’s first Europa League win of the campaign against PAOK.