RUBEN AMORIM was stunned by the size of the job on his hands after the first training sessions with Manchester United this week.
The new boss believes the expensively-assembled squad is bloated and has already pinpointed a number of individuals who he does NOT believe will fit into his 3-4-3 high-energy style of play.
Amorim, 39, has been putting the players, available to him following the international break, through their paces at Carrington.
But the former Sporting Lisbon boss could not believe the lack of speed and intensity.
During the first sessions this week, Amorim was constantly having to tell the players to pick up the pace — and this has continued through the week.
The coaching staff and analysts are drilling players and getting them to watch demonstrations of Amorim’s set-up to get them up to speed for his first game in charge away to Ipswich on Sunday.
On the positive side, Amorim has also been surprised by the quality of some players at his disposal despite United‘s lowly 13th position in the Prem.
Amorim is the club’s sixth permanent boss in the 11 years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
He arrives with a big reputation after winning two titles at Sporting following the club’s 19-year wait to land the top honour again in Portugal.
The former Benfica man took over United after Erik ten Hag was fired 11 games into the new season.
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Amorim immediately cleared out Ten Hag’s coaching team including Ruud van Nistelrooy, who did such a good job in his short four-game caretaker tenure, winning three games and drawing one.
Meanwhile, United are again being linked with Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres and old boy Angel Gomes.
Red Devils’ scouts are understood to have watched 26-year-old Gyokeres score for Sweden last week.
And Amorim has maintained United’s interest in Lille’s England midfielder Gomes, 24.
RUBEN AMORIM has ruled out poaching any of his Sporting Lisbon players in the January transfer window.
But the Portuguese side’s chiefs expect Amorim will come calling in the summer – with his cheque book wide open.
Here’s are three Sporting starts United could swoop for… but they won’t come cheap:
VIKTOR GYOKERES
Age: 26
Position: Striker
Cost: £84million
Swede has shone since joining Sporting last summer from Coventry — catching the eye of all Europe’s top clubs.
Hit 43 goals in 50 games last season and boasts 18 strikes already this term.
GONCALO INACIO
Age: 23
Position: Defender
Cost: £50million
Ball-playing centre-back was handed his debut by Amorim and has since become a key figure in Sporting’s recent title successes.
Can also slot in at left-back if required and has 12 caps for Portugal.
MORTEN HJULMAND
Age: 25
Position: Midfield
Cost: £40million
Dane is one of the top holding midfielders in Portugal — and made skipper by Amorim.
He could be the man to replace Casemiro.
