by Ruben Amorim says he is ‘the one who smiles’, but Manchester United’s new manager has warned he can be ruthless when he needs to be.
The 39-year-old takes charge for the first time in Sunday’s Premier League trip to promoted Ipswich after being confirmed as Erik ten Hag’s successor at the start of November.
Amorim has made a good impression since starting work at United during an international fortnight which ended with an impressive first appearance in front of the media.
The Portuguese was gregarious, engaging and cheerful throughout Friday’s press conference, but with that warmth comes a ruthless side if the players don’t buy into his approach.
“You can be the same person,” said head coach Amorim.
“Be a positive person who can understand that this is a place to be, and then there’s the locker room, there’s places to have fun, there’s places to work hard.
“So I can be ruthless when I need to be. If you think as a team, I’ll be the nicest guy you’ve ever seen. If there is someone who only thinks about himself, I will be a different person.
“I’m not that type of guy who wants to show that he’s the boss.
“They will feel it in the little details, that I can be the one smiling, but when we have a job to do, I will be a different person, and they understand that.”
‘The Smiling One’ follows ‘The Special One’ as United’s second Portuguese manager, with Jose Mourinho one of five managers to try and fail to reach the heights reached by Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Scot retired as Premier League champion in 2013 and the Red Devils have failed to mount a lasting title bid since adding that 20th top-flight crown.
Asked if he would rely on Ferguson to understand United’s history and if he had met him, Amorim replied: “No, not yet. I didn’t have this opportunity.
“It’s hard to copy someone, so I have to be myself. Of course, I’m not the best person here to tell the Manchester United story.
“It should be the club first and also me because I always pay attention to these details and I try to focus our players on the history of the club, not the recent history.
“You have to be very demanding. It’s a club that needs to win, that needs to win, so we need to show that to our players but it’s a different era.
“I can’t be the same guy Sir Alex Ferguson was. It’s a different era.
“I have to have a different approach, but I can also be demanding with a different approach, so that’s my goal.”
Like Ferguson in 1986, Amorim began life at United in November of a season which began with a meager points tally.
The 39-year-old admits the timing makes it “so much more difficult” for him to stamp his style at a club whose youth foundations appear in good hands.
“This is Manchester United’s project,” Amorim said. “Nowadays you need young people, academy guys for everything.
“Bringing that history of the club because they feel the club in a different way.
“And also because there are all these financial fair play rules, when a player from our academy is so different from the players we bought and then we sell.
“So it’s all connected. I will try to help all the players, especially the young ones.
Amorim’s first match will be a fascinating spectacle for the spectators, who particularly followed his work during his farewell to Sporting Lisbon.
The Portuguese played in three finals matches after being confirmed as United head coach, including a 4-1 Champions League win over Manchester City.
Pep Guardiola’s side have dominated English football in recent years and the City boss this week signed a new deal until 2027.
“I think it’s a problem for everyone here, but we have so much going on that we can’t focus on anyone,” Amorim said.
“We just need to focus on our club, improve our club and not focus on other clubs, so let’s focus on Manchester United.
“It’s incredible (the test) – if you can beat this team it’s a good sign but, like I said, we’re focused on Manchester United.”
