Ruben Amorim said it was his 'destiny' to be the man tasked with turning around Manchester United's fortunes on the pitch, but said the job will not change him as a manager.
Amorim was appointed as the Red Devils' new boss at the beginning of November following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag following a poor start to the season.
He drew his first match against Ipswich Town but recorded his first Europa League win in a 3-2 victory over Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford on Thursday.
Amorim and United return to home soil this weekend for the visit of Everton in the Premier League, hoping to break into the top half of the table with a win.
The Red Devils have won 41 Premier League games against Everton, more than any side has beaten anyone else in the history of the competition.
And despite United's stuttering start to the season, Amorim stressed that even if results do not improve, he will still be relaxed in his role.
“I'll be fine. Whatever happens, at this stage of my life, I'll be fine, so that's why I'm relaxed,” Amorim told BBC Sport.
“Everyone tells me, 'This will change me.' This won't change me.
“If something happens, I will be frustrated for a while, but I know I will recover. But I believe we will succeed.
“I am ready. When I got this invitation, I felt that it was very difficult to leave my players at Sporting. But when I got this opportunity, I felt that I had to do this.”
“Maybe it's fate and I'll get a little lucky at first and then everything will be fine.”
First game as manager at Old TraffordFirst win #MUFC || #UEL pic.twitter.com/LIPlpONVrA
– Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 28, 2024
After United's midweek win over Bodo/Glimt, Amorim's name was sung at Old Trafford, with the Portuguese describing the feeling as “special” after the match.
And he plans to continue that relationship with the supporters, but acknowledged he will only be able to do so with their on-field performance, which has fallen below expectations.
“Yes, definitely, I feel that, maybe because I am a little bit [of] an emotional person. I can convey that, even in interviews I think.
“Maybe because I am different from the previous coach and this can create a different connection with the next one.
“I believe I'm the right guy. People always believe the next guy is the right guy. We always have this feeling.
“To maintain this feeling we have to play better, win games and be very honest with the supporters.
“If you are honest and direct with the supporters – maybe you don't always say the popular thing – you create a better connection.”
United's poor start to the season is underlined by their statistics, where they have scored thirteen goals from an expected goals (xG) of 18.3 in the Premier League this season, which equates to around five fewer goals than the quality of their chances would suggest .
No team performs worse than the Red Devils (-5.3) compared to their xG.
In addition, no team in the Premier League has scored fewer goals this season than United (26).
Only Southampton (nine), Crystal Palace and Everton (10) have scored fewer goals than the Red Devils (13), while only Liverpool (8) and Arsenal (12) have conceded fewer (13).
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