BREAKING NEWS: “The board has made another recruitment error. Why would they choose such an inexperienced manager?” – Manchester United legend Gary Neville expresses concern that Ruben Amorim is making the same mistakes Erik ten Hag did during his time at the club. Amorim’s initial choices are raising alarms, indicating he might be repeating issues that impeded Ten Hag’s progress, leading to uncertainty about the team’s future direction.

Ruben Amorim is widely anticipated to soon take on the managerial role at Manchester United, with reports pointing to mid-November as the official start of his tenure. Yet, even before his formal appointment, some critics worry that Amorim might repeat a crucial mistake of his predecessor, Erik ten Hag, which could jeopardize his success.

Ten Hag’s abrupt departure came after a string of unsatisfactory performances, with the final blow being a 2-1 loss to West Ham, prompting United’s leadership to take swift action. Now, as Amorim steps in, some are speculating whether he may unintentionally fall into the same trap that led to Ten Hag’s downfall.

United’s decision to part ways with Ten Hag on the back of a poor start to the 2024/25 season underscored the urgent need for change. The team’s inconsistency left United’s board with little choice but to search for a replacement who could inject stability. They acted quickly, striking an agreement to bring Amorim over from Sporting CP.

Reports from Sky Sports confirm United will pay an €11 million release clause to release him from his current contract, reflecting their belief in Amorim’s potential to rejuvenate the club. However, recent discussions suggest that Amorim may be adopting a strategy similar to Ten Hag’s, one that involved signing players from his former club—a tactic that ultimately didn’t serve Ten Hag well.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Amorim is expected to start as manager on November 11. Rumors indicate he has already requested United to consider signing three Sporting CP players—Goncalo Inacio, Marcus Edwards, and Pedro Goncalves—by the summer of 2025. While this might seem a sensible choice to bring in talent he’s comfortable with, some analysts argue this approach is risky.

Ten Hag’s similar decision to bring players from his previous league, including the underperforming Antony, ended up backfiring, as they struggled with the physical and tactical demands of the Premier League.

While recruiting players from a familiar background can sometimes foster team continuity, it poses potential risks in the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of English football, where adaptation is crucial. If the Sporting players Amorim reportedly wants struggle to make an impact, he may face backlash. For now, though, these reports remain speculative; it’s uncertain if Amorim has officially started shaping transfer decisions.

Ultimately, Amorim’s challenge will be to balance his familiarity with these players against the unique demands of the Premier League, where speed and adaptability are key.