Inside Amorim’s first week: dinner out, meeting fans but NO coaching

RUBEN AMORIM's start at Manchester United has been eventful to say the least.

Officially, the Portuguese boss, 39, will take control of his first training session next week – when his work permit is expected to have arrived.

The former Sporting Lisbon manager has not yet been able to work with his players at Carrington.

It is understood that United do not expect there will be any problems in obtaining the correct paperwork required to start training.

But even though he has been ruled out of the training ground, he has certainly been busy planning moves from his base at the five-star Lowry Hotel, where Jose Mourinho made his base during his time at OId Trafford.

This included sacking a club legend, meeting fans on a stadium tour and dining at a famous Manchester hotspot.

SunSport takes a look at what Amorim has done so far.

Arrival in Manchester

Although he can't share his methods with his players, he has been utilizing his time by familiarizing himself with his new surroundings.

Amorim arrived on Monday via private jet from Beja International Airport, the most followed flight in the world on popular flight tracking site Flightradar24.

He soon visited United's training base and met CEO Omar Berrada, sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox.

Because many of his players are active internationally, these training sessions will not be missed.

Mason Mount and Leny Yoro, who are stepping up their comeback from injury, were on hand to meet their new gaffer.

Amorim has already put together a top team of six staff members who will accompany him on his journey.

Assistants Carlos Fernandes, Adelio Candido, Emanuel Ferro, as well as goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital, sports scientist Paulo Barreira and analyst join Eduardo Rosalino.

However, there was one crucial decision that had to be made regarding his coaching setup.

Van Nistelrooy drops

Immediately upon arrival a decision was made about Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

The Dutch legend, a hero to many Manchester United fans, kept the Red Devils warm to Amorim, but he was soon sacked.

He signed off in style as United beat Leicester City 3-0 on Sunday.

It capped a decent run for Van Nistelrooy, who had three wins and a draw to his name as agent.

Van Nistelrooy wanted to stay on in a coaching role at United, although Amorim saw it differently.

Before wielding the axe, Amorim told the press about Van Nistelrooy's future: “About a legend of the club. He has done a great job. I have to talk to him tomorrow.”

“Then I'll explain everything. I'll be very clear and I'll tell you like it is. Let's wait until tomorrow.”

Chic no

The village of Hale is a popular venue for Manchester United footballers.

Many live close by and frequent the best eateries in the Cheshire area.

One of the best known is the Italian restaurant Cibo.

Erik ten Hag was often seen there with his wife during his stay in Manchester.

And it looks like Amorim got the same tip too.

This week he was spotted leaving the posh hotspot with some of his coaching entourage.

With pasta dishes costing around £18, and meat dishes between £18 and £37, it would have been an expensive bill.

It has been reported that Amorim will earn £6.5 million a year at Old Trafford in a deal that runs until 2027.

Stadium tour

After visiting the training ground and meeting with the club's senior staff, Amorim then visited Old Trafford itself.

He was shown the media room by club staff, joking that it looked familiar.

'This is funny. I have looked at this room many times,” he said.

And in an incredible gesture, he came by to attend the public tour of the historic stadium.

The club shared a video of Amorim joining fans in the locker room and making sure they all shook hands.

He said a few words to the fans joking that one would play and one would be on the bench.

Fans cheered the moment on social media, which reminded some of Jurgen Klopp's arrival at Anfield.

One posted: “Already more handshakes and hugs than Klopp did in his first week at the club. We are so clear!”

A second said: “It could be their Klopp if they get their act together, to be honest.”

A third wrote: “What a guy.”

His first injury

But it hasn't all been smooth sailing.

When Erik Ten Hag was in charge, he fell prey to a dreaded injury curse.

And Amorim will be hoping he will have better luck with the team he has inherited.

However, he suffered a huge blow when it came to Lisandro Martinez's fitness.

The Argentine defender had joined the international squad for their matches against Paraguay and Peru.

But the defender was sent straight back to Manchester after national team medics discovered a “significant hip injury”.

It is believed he picked up the issue during Sunday's 3-0 win over Leicester, but before the review was assessed he flew out to join the Argentina squad.

According to reports in Argentina, he felt “discomfort” after meeting an opponent.

Despite completing 90 minutes, the pain prevented him from “functioning normally.”

Message to fans

Amorim gave his first interview as Manchester United boss on Friday evening.

And he spoke of the 'connection' he already feels with the club and his determination to 'do something special in a special club'.

He said: “A lot of people talk about the 3-4-3, 4-3-3 and all that stuff. But when I think as a player or as a teammate at United, it is not a formation system.

“It's the character of the players, the way they see the club. So we have to focus on that before anything about how we play and how we press.

“The most important thing for me right now is creating the principles, identity and character that we had in the past.

“It's about the team, that's the most important thing for me, because when you work as a team, the individual talent comes into its own.

“But if I have to explain the most important thing, it is the character, the way we fight, the way we play – we have to have an identity.

Life as manager of Manchester United has begun for Ruben Amorim.