“`html
MANCHESTER, England — A new chapter is opening at Manchester United as Ruben Amorim steps in as the latest manager tasked with revitalizing the renowned football club.

After a decade marked by on-field struggles, the club, which has been crowned English champions 20 times, has turned to the 39-year-old Portuguese coach. Amorim is known for his previous successes at Sporting Lisbon, where he brought home trophies and an exciting style of play. However, he now faces the daunting challenge of leading a team that has seen many reputable figures come and go without achieving sustained success.

Over the last ten years, high-profile managers have been hired and dismissed, and an astounding amount exceeding $1 billion has been funneled into player acquisitions, yet Manchester United remains unable to find its footing.

“If someone had the solution to that, we wouldn’t have endured the past 10 or 11 years,” remarked Andy George, a lifelong United supporter from Worcestershire. He added, “I always support the manager, but it desperately needs to bear fruits now.”

Having been a fan for three decades, George traveled approximately 100 miles for last week’s Europa League match, where United claimed a 2-0 victory over PAOK.

As a distinguished winner, Amorim previously played for Portugal and took over as the coach of Sporting in 2020, ending the club’s 19-year title drought in 2021. He secured the championship again in 2024, elevating his profile to the point where he was linked with positions at prominent teams like Liverpool, Manchester City, and Barcelona before being appointed to replace Erik ten Hag earlier this month.

“I’m not oblivious; I’m aware it’s going to be a very different and hard journey,” Amorim stated on Sunday following his final game with Sporting. “But I believe I’m ready. I’m at peace now; I can focus on this new role.”

He becomes the sixth permanent manager at United since the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 after securing his 13th Premier League title. With a remarkable 28 major trophies won during his tenure, including two Champions League titles, Ferguson’s legacy looms large over his successors.

David Moyes was the first to attempt to fill Ferguson’s shoes but lasted just eight months, initiating a repetitive cycle of hiring and dismissing coaches in a bid to reclaim the club’s former glory.

Since then, various figures have taken charge, including Champions League-winning managers like Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, an iconic ex-player in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and the emerging talent Erik ten Hag. Despite these appointments, United has struggled to contend with the dominance of Manchester City, while also witnessing Liverpool, Chelsea, and even Leicester secure domestic titles during this period.

There is hope that Amorim may finally be the answer to halting this cycle.

“We cannot overlook the transformation he has brought to Sporting,” said United midfielder Casemiro. “He has led Sporting to numerous titles and shifted the club’s fortunes with his wins. He has proven himself as a successful coach.”

Amorim made an impressive impression even before officially starting his tenure, as his Sporting team triumphed over Manchester City with a 4-1 victory in the Champions League just last week.

“I was shocked; I completely lost my mind,” exclaimed Joshua Hanley, a United fan from Kansas City who traveled to watch the game against PAOK. “We were in the midst of changing planes while I was watching the score update on my phone. That was an incredible start!”

Amorim joked that he could be viewed as the new Ferguson if he managed to defeat City. However, Hanley’s expectations are more tempered.

“If we can finish in the top six, it would be an outstanding conclusion to the season,” he mentioned, expressing his hope that Amorim could “revitalize the excitement of football” at United.

Additionally, Amorim represents the first head coach appointed since Jim Ratcliffe, a British billionaire, became a minority owner in February. Ratcliffe took control of football operations and established a new leadership team for the club.

United’s new CEO Omar Berrada, who came from City, and sporting director Dan Ashworth, previously from Newcastle, are part of this overhaul. Dave Brailsford, who was instrumental in elevating Britain to prominence in cycling, serves as a director on United’s soccer board.

Even though Ten Hag received a contract extension after a summer review, he was brought in under the previous management. Unfortunately, United’s poor start to the current campaign — with four losses in its initial nine league matches — ultimately led to his dismissal.

Amorim’s appointment comes with the advantage of being chosen under the new management structure created by Ratcliffe. This should offer him the necessary time to put his plans into action.

However, he is unlikely to receive a completely free pass this season. The timing of Ten Hag’s firing reflects United’s ambitions.

Despite only 11 rounds completed in the league, Amorim inherits a squad currently sitting in 13th place, just four points from third. The team also remains competitive in three cup competitions.

Champions League qualification is still a possibility, and with around $230 million invested in transfers over the summer, there are high expectations for Amorim to deliver results swiftly in a club that has been striving to catch up for too long.

In the long term, the goal remains to restore United to its former status as a powerhouse in both English and European football, a challenge that has proven too much for his five predecessors.
“`