As well as sprinkling his magic dust all over Manchester United’s squad, Ruben Amorim has made a point of talking them up publicly to boost their confidence.
Amorim could see, even before he took over at Old Trafford, that United’s squad were massively underperforming. They won just four of their 14 games under Erik ten Hag before the Dutchman was sacked and Amorim knew the talent was there if he could just make them believe again.
He also knows the club can’t afford any major rebuilding work until the summer so must work with what he’s got for the rest of this season as he attempts to gatecrash the Champions League positions. But his public praise is evidently paying off, with a string of stars performing well under the new manager.
Mirror Football takes a look at the eight stars that have received public praise from Amorim - and why they deserve the plaudits.
Marcus Rashford has been one of his biggest successes so far and the former England striker has three goals in his two starts under the Portuguese after 18 months in the doldrums. Amorim feels there is much more to come from the striker, who scored 34 times for club and country in 2022-23, and said after his double against Everton, “He has to continue to improve. He has the ability to do it and he already has proved that. He can play so much better, like the other guys.”
Diallo was criminally underused by ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy could see the Ivorian’s talent. He scored two goals and weighed in with an assist under van Nistelrooy and already has three assists under Amorim. “He was really good defensively and really good attacking, and he has to continue to play like that,” said Amorim.
The Netherlands striker has been one of Amorim’s most-unexpected early successes and after coming off the bench to score on his debut against Fulham, he had nosedived. He looked transformed against Everton when Amorim handed him his first league start since late September and responded with two goals. “Josh did a great job,” said Amorim. “He scored two goals, which is always important for the confidence.”
It was obvious that Amorim needed to get his fellow Portuguese on board as captain and that has happened. Fernandes didn’t manage a goal under Erik ten Hag, but has five and four assists in the seven games since the Dutchman left. Amorim said: “You can feel it that he’s the most experienced player.”
Hojlund looked lost this season because of injury and a loss of form and even under Ruud van Nistelrooy, he was well off the pace. Amorim started him against Bodo Glimt and he responded with two goals and an assist. “He’s a quality player,” said Amorim. “I think he scores the most difficult goals.”
Amorim sees Mazraoui as being very important and loves his versatility. He played the full 90 minutes against Ipswich and Bodo Glimt and came off after 56 minutes against Everton with the game won. “He’s an incredible player, he’s our future,” said Amorim. “He played in different positions and this kind of player is what we need.”
Mount’s time at Old Trafford has been blighted by injuries, but Amorim believes in him and started him against Bodo Glimt, as well as bringing him on against Ipswich and Everton. Amorim knows he will need the playmaker over this gruelling season. “You see some moments and details where you can see that Mason is a proper footballer,” said Amorim. “We believe in him a lot and I especially believe a lot in Mason.”
Dalot is another player Amorim has high hopes for and he has featured in all three games under his compatriot, operating at left wing-back. Again Amorim likes his versatility and feels he can be a big player for United. “He’s a very good player, very powerful and can play both sides,” said Amorim. “Nowadays, a player who can play on both sides is perfect.”