Enzo Maresca has spoken out on the debate surrounding Manchester United’s appointment of Ruben Amorim, insisting he ‘knows how’ the Portuguese manager tries to play.
The Red Devils confirmed the 39-year-old as their new head coach on Friday, just four days after sacking Erik ten Hag with the side languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.
Amorim comes from Sporting Lisbon on a two-and-a-half-year contract, which the club can extend for another twelve months.
As part of the deal, the manager will remain in charge of his current side for three final matches. So he won’t be in the Old Trafford hot seat as they welcome Maresca’s Chelsea team on Sunday.
Despite not facing the Portuguese manager this afternoon, the Blues boss has given his verdict on the Premier League’s latest signing.
Enzo Maresca joined the debate surrounding United’s appointment of Ruben Amorim
The Chelsea boss said: ‘It’s a fantastic style, the way they defend, the way they attack, so I have no doubt he will do a great job.’
He said: ‘Ruben Amorim will do a great job at Man United. I’ve seen a lot of sports matches and know the way they play.’
“It’s a fantastic style, the way they defend, the way they attack, so I have no doubt he’ll do a great job.”
Maresca’s emphatic praise comes just hours before he sides with Manchester in a bid to continue his good form.
Chelsea are sixth in the league, with seventeen points from nine games, but can move up to third place with a win at Old Trafford this afternoon.
Ten Hag’s former assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy remains interim coach while United await the arrival of Amorim and the Dutchman made a good start to his short tenure with a convincing 5-2 win over Leicester on Wednesday.
He said: ‘Erik ten Hag brought me back to Manchester United this summer and although I have only been part of the coaching staff here for a few months, I will always be grateful to him for giving me the opportunity. sad to see him go.
“Even on an interim basis, it is a great honor to be able to lead the club I love, for however long I am asked to do so. I promise to continue to give my all, in whatever capacity, to try to turn our fortunes around.
“Despite our results, I am loving being back at Old Trafford and working with the team and staff every day. We’ve seen the side’s potential at times this season, but clearly not often enough.
“This is the time for everyone at the club to work together, give it their all and turn this season around while we still have time. From my experiences as a player and as a coach here, I can say with certainty that when players, staff and supporters join forces, Manchester United will be unstoppable.”
United moved quickly in bringing in their new manager, but that’s not to say they didn’t encounter obstacles along the way. Mail Sport revealed earlier this week that 39-year-old Amorim had a notice period within his contract with Sporting Lisbon.
Erik ten Hag was finally fired on Monday after months of speculation
In his first game in the hotseat on Wednesday, the interim coach led the Red Devils to an entertaining 5-2 win over Leicester
Man United are currently six points behind Sunday’s visitors to Chelsea in the Premier League
Following negotiations, United are said to have paid €1 million on top of the £8.3 million release clause to secure an early departure, allowing the new man to use the international break to familiarize himself with his surroundings before starting his first match takes the lead. be at Ipswich Town on November 24.
In the meantime, Van Nistelrooy will oversee the visits of Chelsea and Leicester City, which include a Europa League home match with PAOK.
The Dutchman’s future remains undecided but United stars are said to be ‘desperate’ for the former Red Devils striker to remain under Amorim in some capacity.