Former Premier League midfielder Steve Sidwell has backed Manchester United players to welcome incoming manager Ruben Amorim with open arms.
The 39-year-old has been identified as the ideal permanent successor to Erik ten Hag and is set to join the Red Devils from Sporting CP after November’s international break.
Amorim will arrive at Old Trafford with a stellar CV, having established himself as one of the best young managers in the game during his short spell at Sporting.
Since joining the Portuguese giants back in March 2020, Amorim has won five titles with Sporting, including two league titles.
He was on course to make it back-to-back Primera Liga title wins this season, with his side cruising at the top of the table with a perfect record.
However, he is now set to join the Red Devils, and Sidwell has backed him to galvanise the squad and command a shift at the club.
“I think if that appointment happens, the players will embrace that like you can’t believe,” Sidwell said on Sky Sports.
“I think they’re going to be over the moon with someone that plays forward-thinking, on the front foot, attacking football, dynamic, intensity, aggressive in their possession, aggressive when they haven’t got the ball.
“I think we’re going to see a massive improvement from these players, which is wrong in terms of you shouldn’t have to be motivated to play for any football club, let alone Manchester United.
“That didn’t happen under Ten Hag. Now I think with this man coming in, he’s just going to give them that lift.”
Amorim will make his Premier League debut against Ipswich Town after November’s international break.
United have reached an agreement to secure his services, but Sporting have asked him to oversee their next three games as they plan for a smooth transition.
United have agreed to activate his £10 million release clause but will also compensate Sporting with an additional £2m for allowing him to leave without fulfilling the required 30-day notice period.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
