Manchester United fans will welcome their new boss Ruben Amorim and hope he’ll have more success than the previous one. And the one before him. And the one before that. And so on.
Managing – or rather coaching since Amorim’s title is now ‘head coach’ marking a departure from the term ‘manager’ – United is one of the toughest jobs in football at one of the biggest clubs in football. The pressures are unique, the expectations high, the dressing room an incredibly complex one which is difficult to manage. Or coach.
Fans are baffled and bewildered, their addiction rewarded with occasional bewitching moments amid confusion about the direction the club is taking.
For years in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, fans have cheered almost every player departure out of the door and constantly demanded that deadwood is shifted, but little changes. United went from a norm where finishing third was a failure to where it’s now considered at the top of their realistic aims.
Erik ten Hag lost his job because the INEOS-led decision makers at the club think there’s a better man to do it. They also think that a top-four finish should be the new coach’s target this season.
There’s a transfer window in January, but United is a loss-making football club already pushing spending to the limits. When those new players arrive, every one is heralded as a probable improvement on the ones they’ve replaced and a brighter future is imagined, yet United haven’t sustained a single league title challenge since the last win in 2013.
From Angel Di Maria to Jadon Sancho, hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent – most say squandered – on big name footballing stars, but United is a talent-reducing, reputation-denting factory where the highs are occasional and the managers survive for two and a bit years.
All those managers have been supported – by the club and fans – but they reach a point where it’s realised that a Premier League title challenge is a bridge too far. And so the next man arrives, fresh with his own ideas and smiles throughout the honeymoon period that follows.
“How many days will it take for us to see the significant changes that you’ve planned?” one journalist asked a previous manager Louis van Gaal in 2014.
“100 days,” he replied confidently. That Dutchman oversaw a huge turnover of players, though he was frustrated that he couldn’t bring in the very best players, much like Erik ten Hag was when he wanted striker Harry Kane in 2023. With their appeal trimmed by a lack of success and wealthier rivals, United, while still desirable, don’t have the pull they enjoyed for decades.
Erik ten Hag's United reign - in pictures
Amorim has a huge task. He’ll get support and patience and the bar can’t be any lower than it is right now with United struggling to win, score and 14th in the league, but he must make significant improvements.
Strikers are a huge problem for United. Rivals can alternate their forwards, United have eight goals in nine league games. Chelsea, Sunday’s visitors to Old Trafford, have 19. Oh for the goals of legendary striker Ruud van Nistelrooy who now finds himself in charge of the team for the next three games. His team did score five in his first game, a League Cup match against a weakened Leicester City side on Wednesday.
Injuries battered United last season and this. They’ve been a factor in the team regressing to the levels of the 1980s, when success came in domestic cups but not the league.
The 2024 team plays well in patches, such as in the first half at West Ham last week in what was Ten Hag’s final game, but struggles to follow game plans and structures for 90 minutes.
Old Trafford does see very talented young players including Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund who should get better with experience, but the team is far from a vintage one. They’ve been capable of big performances and even bigger moments such as the surprise win against Manchester City in the 2024 FA Cup final, but there is no quick fix for this dressing room.
United’s new INEOS-led decision makers have set a target of the Premier League title by 2028, the year England’s biggest club celebrates 150 years. Things change in football – sometimes quickly – but United look miles behind the leading sides right now in terms of squad quality.
Amorim’s freshness, confidence and ideas will be appreciated. His Sporting side play aggressive attacking football in a competitive league, albeit one outside the big five in Europe. There is no tougher league than the Premier League.
His Sporting team is – and it’s still ‘is’ since he’ll stay in charge until he joins United on November 11 – adaptable and he’ll meet new players who are tactically flexible, although, paradoxically, several members of the squad have bristled at the tactical ideas of just about every United boss they’ve worked under.
It’s unclear which formation he will bring to United – Amorim’s Sporting side played a fluid 3-4-3 shape with rotations on the flanks against top sides. Out of possession, Sporting dropped into a 5-4-1 shape and condensed the spaces to good effect.
Amorim will leave beautiful Lisbon, and with the nights and cold closing in, he’s not arriving in Manchester in the best month, but it’s the time of year when United bosses lose their jobs.
He’ll be hoping he’s not in the same position in two years, though he won’t have to deal with some of the issues Ten Hag faced like an unsettling strategic review as the club’s future ownership was sorted out throughout 2023. That led to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s team being put in charge of running the football club and fans are supportive of them. The new boss and his coaches should find a more solid football structure, but he’ll need to show incredible leadership skills managing up and down if United are to change.
Maybe it’ll change, it has to change one day and Amorim comes with an unblemished CV – as Ten Hag did when he moved to Old Trafford from Ajax in 2022.
At 39 he’s young, bright, charismatic and turned Sporting from failures to the best team in Portugal. It’s not just trophies where he can be judged a success. He joined a club who’d just sold their best player, Bruno Fernandes, to Manchester United in 2020, but still brought players through who were sold for vast profits: Manuel Ugarte was sold to PSG (and later Man United) for €60 million, Pedro Porro to Tottenham for €40m, Yousef Chermiti to Everton for €12.5m and Tiago Tomas to Wolfsburg in 2023. The year before Matheus Nunes moved to Wolves for €47m, Joao Palhinha to Fulham for €24.9m, Nuno Mendes to PSG for €38m plus a loan fee. This year, Abdul Fatawa moved to Leicester for €17m, Mateus Fernandes to Southampton for €15m, Paulinho to Toluca for €8m.
Even more impressive were the 21 players he promoted from Sporting’s youth team into the first XI. The value of Sporting’s squad was €175m when he took over in March 2020. It’s €444m today, more than Porto’s €352m and Benfica’s €336m, traditionally Portugal’s two biggest clubs with the best track record of selling players. Amorim brought prize money from European runs where they eliminated Arsenal in 2023 and narrowly lost to Juventus.
If the same thing had been happening at United, the club wouldn’t have needed to lay off 250 staff as they have done so far in 2024, but United, even despite their potential capacity to generate revenue, have underachieved for years and belts need to be tightened.
Of more value to the Sporting fans were the trophies and the exciting football. United fans want the same, the players and executives too. They’ll give Amorim support like he’s never experienced in his life, but delivering that success is the difficult bit, as so many have found before him.
Breast cancer in men: the facts
1) Breast cancer is men is rare but can develop rapidly. It usually occurs in those over the ages of 60, but can occasionally affect younger men.
2) Symptoms can include a lump, discharge, swollen glands or a rash.
3) People with a history of cancer in the family can be more susceptible.
4) Treatments include surgery and chemotherapy but early diagnosis is the key.
5) Anyone concerned is urged to contact their doctor
More from Aya Iskandarani
Hotel Data Cloud profile
Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books
The Bio
Favourite place in UAE: Al Rams pearling village
What one book should everyone read: Any book written before electricity was invented. When a writer willingly worked under candlelight, you know he/she had a real passion for their craft
Your favourite type of pearl: All of them. No pearl looks the same and each carries its own unique characteristics, like humans
Best time to swim in the sea: When there is enough light to see beneath the surface
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
Points about the fast fashion industry Celine Hajjar wants everyone to know
- Fast fashion is responsible for up to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions
- Fast fashion is responsible for 24 per cent of the world's insecticides
- Synthetic fibres that make up the average garment can take hundreds of years to biodegrade
- Fast fashion labour workers make 80 per cent less than the required salary to live
- 27 million fast fashion workers worldwide suffer from work-related illnesses and diseases
- Hundreds of thousands of fast fashion labourers work without rights or protection and 80 per cent of them are women
Last 10 NBA champions
2017: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-1
2016: Cleveland bt Golden State 4-3
2015: Golden State bt Cleveland 4-2
2014: San Antonio bt Miami 4-1
2013: Miami bt San Antonio 4-3
2012: Miami bt Oklahoma City 4-1
2011: Dallas bt Miami 4-2
2010: Los Angeles Lakers bt Boston 4-3
2009: Los Angeles Lakers bt Orlando 4-1
2008: Boston bt Los Angeles Lakers 4-2
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
Ahmed Raza
UAE cricket captain
Age: 31
Born: Sharjah
Role: Left-arm spinner
One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95
T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28
U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES
UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)
- Saturday 15 January: UAE beat Canada by 49 runs
- Thursday 20 January: v England
- Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
UAE squad:
Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles
Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly,
Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya
Shetty, Kai Smith
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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1.
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United States
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2.
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China
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3.
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UAE
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4.
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Japan
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5
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Norway
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6.
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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Second ODI
England 322-7 (50 ovs)
India 236 (50 ovs)
England win by 86 runs
Next match: Tuesday, July 17, Headingley
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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