'I was in Ruben Amorim's first training session - I noticed one thing on player treatment'

A player who was involved in Ruben Amorim's first training session as Sporting CP manager has opened up on the immediate impact the new Manchester United boss had on him

A player who was part of Ruben Amorim's inaugural training session at Sporting CP has revealed that Manchester United's new manager treated all players "equally".

Casa Pia winger Nuno Moreira was honing his skills with Sporting's reserve squad, Sporting CP B, when he received the invitation to join Amorim's first session as head of the main team in 2020. Despite being associated with Sporting for 14 years and never making a first-team appearance, Moreira holds vivid memories of his time under Amorim.

Amorim, whose tenure at United began with a somewhat subdued 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town on Sunday, has been vocal about the need for patience with his Old Trafford project. Even with an unremarkable start, his influence on United's training sessions has already been noted, and Moreira has spoken about the profound impact the 39-year-old made on him, emphasising how crucial inclusivity is for United's new man in charge.

"The B team players regularly trained with the A team," Moreira told the Portuguese media. "One thing I liked about Ruben Amorim was that he treated everyone equally."

Moreira departed Sporting in 2021 to join Portuguese second division side Vizela where he then spent three years before switching to Casa Pia. Like many who have encountered Amorim in recent weeks since he joined United, the 25-year-old was also majorly impressed with how the ex-Sporting manager communicated and held himself on and off the pitch, as per the Manchester Evening News.

"I was at his first talk to the players and I was immediately impressed by the way he spoke," Moreira said. "He said what he wanted straight away and from then on I had no doubt that Sporting would do well."

Even though Amorim has requested time to settle in at United, Moreira expressed confidence that the Red Devils are in capable hands and believes that the United management will afford him the necessary period to instil his philosophy. He added: "Yes, I believe Manchester United will be just as patient. When he arrived at Sporting, the club wasn't in an easy situation either."

Ahead of the game with Ipswich, Amorim spoke candidly at United's training facilities in Carrington. He delineated his guiding principles and stressed the importance of patience in cultivating his new-look team while delving into the immense pressures that come with holding the reins at United.

"I think a lot of the time coaches have an idea, an idea about the game and have to apply it. Everybody knows my idea of the game," Amorim said. "We then have to link this to the history of the club, a winning club. We can't play defensively however, we have to want the ball, then you have to look at what type of league we are in.

"The people here like intense attacking football. There are a lot of physically strong players that are also talented. Therefore, that's what we are going to look for - to link the coach's idea with that of the club. A dominant club that looks to win all their games and be protagonists. We also add the league to the equation - it's quick, intense, physical with goals and therefore that's what we will try to do.

"I know the expectations. High expectations can be a problem because we need to know how to manage these expectations we know it will take time, we know it won't be easy."

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