Man Utd not worried about Ruben Amorim delay as new boss and his staff face wait
Manchester United's first game under new head coach Ruben Amorim isn't until November 24, but the Portuguese and his staff are still waiting for the relevant work visas
by David McDonnell, Tom Victor · The MirrorManchester United are confident there will be no issues with new boss Ruben Amorim being granted a work visa.
Amorim officially began his new role as United head coach on Monday, after taking charge of his last game as Sporting Lisbon boss - a 4-2 comeback win at Braga - the day before. This week Amorim has been familiarising himself with his new surroundings, arriving at United’s training complex on Monday, where he was met by CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.
Amorim, 39, is unable to take training sessions until his work visa is approved, but with the majority of United’s players away on international duty and not back until early next week, that has not been a major issue.
Work visas are also required for Amorim's five-man backroom team, who have followed him from Sporting, but United do not anticipate any problems with their applications and expect all to be processed in due course.
Amorim's first game in charge of United is a Premier League trip to Ipswich a week on Sunday, followed by successive home matches against Bodo Glimt in the Europa League and Everton in the league. Amorim was given a guided tour of Old Trafford by club staff and recognised the media room from watching managers interviewed there in the past.
“This is funny. I’ve watched this room so many times,” said Amorim, who sat in the seat reserved for managers when speaking after matches. “Sunday, next week. Ipswich. We will be ready.”
United went four games unbeaten under interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, picking up four points from league games against Chelsea and Leicester to leave themselves 13th in the table. Van Nistelrooy will play no part in the Amorim era, though, with United confirming his exit on the same day Amorim arrived in the UK.
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"Ruud is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. We are grateful for his contribution and the way in which he has approached his role throughout his time with the club. He will always be very welcome at Old Trafford," the club said in a statement.
Ahead of Amorim's first game, United captain Bruno Fernandes has given his thoughts about the new boss. Just like his compatriot, Fernandes spent time with Sporting directly before moving to Old Trafford.
“Obviously for me, what stands out is the connection he has with the players,” said Fernandes. “You see it at the end of the game when a manager is going from your club in the middle of the season and with all the things that they have still to win
“And you see the way they say goodbye to him, the way they feel, they make him feel part of the team and how they treat him. So it shows that this is a great character and he's someone that gives his all to the players."
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