Ruben Amorim reveals: The Manchester United coach aims for a versatile approach to gameplay.

Ruben Amorim couldn’t hide his delight as he discussed one of the unexpected benefits of the international break.

“I didn’t have media and that is really important so it was a good break,” he chuckled.

The Manchester United manager was in high spirits during his conversation with TNT Sports, relishing the opportunity to step back from the relentless public scrutiny that comes with his role.

As United gears up to return to Premier League action on Tuesday night against the in-form Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, Amorim reflected on the past two weeks. It has been over two weeks since United last played, a convincing 3-0 victory at Leicester City, and Amorim is thankful for the time to analyse both the present and future ambitions of the club.

“It was really important,” he stated in an exclusive interview with TNT Sports. “It helped that we were winning games, and we progressed to the next stage of the Europa League, so it was perfect to take a little break. But I’m always thinking about not just the present but the future.”

Amorim elaborated on the advantages of the break, saying, “You have more time to think about the big picture and not just focus on the next game. You can watch a lot of games from different angles and try to understand the players.”

He continued, “We have to prepare for next season, so you’re also watching different players and others on loan to see how they’re doing, and also watching some games from the youth teams. We try to gather that information to think about everything as a club and not just focus on the next game, so it was perfect.”

Despite the hiatus from club football, Amorim’s tactics and philosophy remained a hot topic on TNT Sports’ The Breakdown. Arsenal legend Martin Keown suggested that United’s players are struggling to grasp Amorim’s tactics, prompting a debate on whether he should be more adaptable in his approach.

When asked about the ongoing discussions surrounding his formation, Amorim expressed his willingness to adapt. “If you train, it can take time,” he explained. “You will reach a point where everyone knows what to do in any situation, and I think that is really important.”

He added, “Sometimes it can take longer because you don’t adapt all the time, but when you get up to the right speed, it’s going to be so much easier because they already know how to play.”

Amorim views his system as flexible, stating, “You see it as a 3-4-3, but I see it as a way of playing where we can adapt to a 4-4-2, 3-5-2, 3-4-3, or 4-3-3. It depends on how you manage the rotation of the team. That is my goal, and I always did that because I truly believe in that.”

Recent performances suggest that the players are beginning to embrace their manager’s philosophy, with United currently enjoying a seven-game unbeaten streak across all competitions. A notable moment in their last match against Arsenal showcased the potential of Amorim’s tactics, as Diogo Dalot set up Noussair Mazraoui in a flowing move, only to be thwarted by a brilliant save from David Raya.

Amorim remarked on the significance of that moment, saying, “That was a situation where they already believed that the play was going to be like that, and it’s a very good thing.”

Looking ahead to the clash with Nottingham Forest, Amorim is optimistic about continuing their resurgence against a side brimming with confidence after reaching the FA Cup semi-finals and vying for a UEFA Champions League spot.

Reflecting on the previous encounter with Forest, which ended in defeat, Amorim noted, “I’ve watched the game during the break two more times. I think we played well but suffered a goal from a set piece. There are a lot of things that we are doing better, like recovering our positions better.”

He added, “I don’t know what the result will be on Tuesday, but the most important thing is that I learn a lot. I can feel it when I’m watching the game and I understand the league better.”

As the season approaches its climax, Amorim is buoyed by the recent form of striker Rasmus Hojlund, who ended a goal drought with a strike against Leicester and followed it up with a goal for Denmark in the UEFA Nations League.

Amorim expressed his unwavering faith in Hojlund, stating, “It’s really important, but when Rasmus is not scoring, I had the same confidence in him. A lot of the goals that we score were because Rasmus was there, so I tried to explain that to all the players.”

The manager also shared insights into maintaining a player’s confidence during a tough spell, saying, “I was also a football player, and I know that nice and kind words will not change anything, but sometimes when you explain things with facts and images, you can help the player to feel more confident.”

Hojlund made headlines during the international break for mimicking Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic ‘Sii’ celebration after scoring, a gesture that he clarified was not intended to disrespect the former United star.

Amorim praised Hojlund’s confidence, saying, “He’s a confident kid, and it was a good celebration.”

Another key player for United is club captain Bruno Fernandes, who has been instrumental this season with 16 goals and 16 assists. Despite facing criticism over his leadership, Amorim has been impressed by Fernandes’ commitment and work ethic.

“I think he’s surprised me a lot,” Amorim admitted. “In training, he’s helping everybody. He’s training like a young kid, and that’s why he has those numbers.”

At the back, Matthijs De Ligt has emerged as a leader, contributing significantly to the team’s recent upturn in form. Amorim noted De Ligt’s growing confidence and adaptability within the new system, highlighting his crucial contributions in recent matches.

The only downside for United before the international break was the injury to Ayden Heaven, but Amorim is optimistic about the young talent’s recovery.

Amorim has also integrated several academy players into the first team this season, a testament to the club’s commitment to youth development. He emphasised the importance of players being ready for the physical demands of the Premier League and the need for humility.

As United prepares to face Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, Amorim’s focus remains on building a cohesive and adaptable squad capable of competing at the highest level.

Nottingham Forest will host Manchester United in the Premier League on Tuesday, April 1, with kick-off at 20:00 UK time. Live coverage will be available on TNT Sports, starting from 19:00.