Ruben Amorim knows Wolves’ newly appointed manager Vitor Pereira from his time in charge of FC Porto.
Both managers are under pressure to improve their current team’s form.
Manchester United are positioned 13th in the Premier League, while Wolves are in the relegation zone despite beating Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Leicester City side over the weekend.
Like Ruben Amorim, Vitor Pereira finds himself in new territory, after landing his first Premier League job.
Pereira has already given Amorim a good reference ahead of the tie and packs his compatriot to turn things around at Old Trafford.
It won’t be an easy task as United need better results or they risk missing out on Champions League football for a second successive season.
Amorim is trying to raise the standards at United and Pereira must do the same to keep Wolves in the top-flight.
Vitor Pereira, Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, celebrates after Matheus Cunha of Wolverhampton Wanderers (not pictured) scores his team's third...
Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim gives verdict on Vitor Pereira as a coach
There is mutual respect between Amorim and Pereira from their time in Portugal.
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Amorim was playing for Benfica during Pereira’s spell as FC Porto, so they were considered rivals in their homeland.
The Manchester United head coach was quick to profile Pereira in his pre-match press conference, referencing his two league titles in Portugal, while urging his players to take advantage of Wolves’ relegation battle.
“He [Pereira] coached in Portugal, he won two titles, he did a great job at FC Porto,” Amorim said.
“So, I know he’s a very good coach, he’ll prepare [for] the game, he will understand our moment. He’s also in a difficult moment but he knows big clubs, so he understands that, for us, it’s really hard this moment.
“We will try to take advantage, but we will be prepared for the game.”
Manchester United looking to repeat last season’s feat over Wolves
Manchester United did the double over Wolves last season, winning home and away.
It took a single goal from Raphael Varane to beat Wolves at Old Trafford, while a Kobbie Mainoo strike in stoppage-time sealed a dramatic win at Molineux.
Wins Draws Losses
56 20 37
Manchester United head-to-head record against Wolves
United need a similar result on Boxing Day to get back to winning ways, after losing 3-0 against Bournemouth last weekend.
It remains to be seen if Marcus Rashford will be recalled to the matchday squad, after making his unhappiness known and missing the last three games, but he’ll be looking to add to his tally of four goals.
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