{"id":316452,"date":"2025-08-04T06:22:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T06:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/316452\/"},"modified":"2025-08-04T06:22:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T06:22:15","slug":"what-ruben-amorim-is-like-away-from-the-cameras-at-manchester-united","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/316452\/","title":{"rendered":"What Ruben Amorim is like away from the cameras at Manchester United"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ruben Amorim conducted his first sit-down as Man United manager with nine journalists on the pre-season tour.\"Samuel<\/p>\n

Samuel joined the Manchester Evening News in 2014 and is the Chief Manchester United writer. He has broken exclusives on Jose Mourinho’s appointment, the re-signing of Cristiano Ronaldo, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking, the club’s interest in Ralf Rangnick and Erik ten Hag, as well as numerous other transfers and team news. He has represented the MEN on the BBC, Sky News, Sky Sports News, TalkSport, Radio 5 Live, CNN and various other media outlets worldwide.
\nTo receive Samuel’s weekly newsletter for exclusive views and insight, subscribe at https:\/\/insideoldtrafford.substack.com\/about<\/p>\n

\"AmorimAmorim spoke to the dedicated United correspondents on Friday<\/p>\n

Manchester United open the doors to their new first team building at Carrington on Friday. We shall see whether they have replicated the Chicago Fire’s press conference room set-up.<\/p>\n

At the Fire’s plush Endeavor Health Performance Center, the proximity of the media room is canny, situated to the right of reception. Even one of the MLS’s consistently low-ranking teams who share their name with a TV series are quick to show the media to the door.<\/p>\n

Upon our arrival on Friday, we gave our name at reception and obtained a lanyard. Then we were requested to wait in that room while Ruben Amorim<\/a> completed another media engagement on camera. “Arrange it however you want,” the United<\/a> press officer breezily suggested.<\/p>\n

Chairs were laid out in orderly rows, as is custom for a press conference. Settling with a press conference-style format would have ensured Amorim had a more comfortable and cushioned seat on the dais but this was a more intimate setting and his first interview sans cameras.<\/p>\n

Forming a circle seemed sensible. This worked with Erik ten Hag<\/a> at AAMI Park in Melbourne in 2022. Our expectations for that sit-down were low, going off his succinct press conference unveiling at Old Trafford. Ten Hag turned out to be terrific value.<\/p>\n

He was undeniably more relaxed without cameras present. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer quipped how much he enjoyed the sit-down in Perth on his only pre-season tour in 2019 as the only devices visible were dictaphones.<\/p>\n

Myself and a colleague did a careful head count in the Chicago press room: eight journalists and one manager. So we assembled the correct number of chairs and awaited Amorim’s arrival.<\/p>\n

He strode in around ten minutes later, flanked by three officials from the communications department and a security staff member. Amorim was in his tour training regalia: tight black tracksuit bottoms and a purple Adidas training shirt. The initials ‘RA’ are even affixed to Amorim’s box-fresh white trainers.<\/p>\n

There was the familiar, “Hi guys” when Amorim entered and he shook hands with everyone. We expressed gratitude for him giving up his time. Amorim cheerfully assured us it was “a pleasure”. That was a first with a United manager.<\/p>\n

At AAMI Park, we had 25 minutes with Ten Hag. We had 18 with Amorim. But you do not need 20 minutes with Amorim.<\/p>\n

\"AmorimAmorim in Chicago<\/p>\n

One of the longest-serving stalwarts of the Manchester pack insisted it was the best of all of the managerial sit-downs he had been present for. That dates back to Sir Alex Ferguson’s era.<\/p>\n

One could have feasibly written up lines well into double figures:<\/p>\n