Ruben Amorim pulled off the biggest win of his Manchester United tenure on Sunday as his side beat bitter rivals Liverpool
Ruben Amorim celebrates
Ruben Amorim led his side to victory at Liverpool for the first time since 2016
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Ruben Amorim guided Manchester United to a landmark victory on Sunday as they beat rivals Liverpool. The Portuguese head coach had been under immense pressure this season but some of the new rules he has introduced at the club might now be working.
A late Harry Maguire header handed United a pivotal 2-1 victory after Cody Gakpo cancelled out Bryan Mbeumo's early effort. United's new goalkeeper Senne Lammens impressed at Anfield but was unable to keep a second consecutive clean sheet, despite last week's emergence of a 'ban' he places on family and team-mates.
Lammens is somewhat superstitious and in the build-up to games has stopped any mention of clean sheets before he takes to the field. The unusual ban reportedly applies to both family and team-mates.
No using international breaks for holidays
After some high-profile incidents involving the likes of Marcus Rashford disappearing on holiday when not picked for England, a ban has been imposed by Amorim that prohibits players from jetting off if their nation doesn't select them.
Marcus Rashford attends a game between the Brooklyn Nets and the New York Knicks
United loanee Rashford came under fire in 2024 for a US trip during the international break
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The manager's thought behind such a ban is based on rest and limiting travel. He spoke out about the standards the club must keep, which have slipped before, when this change was introduced.
Amorim said: "We as a club have to set the standards and manage that. It's my decision if they can have five days, or three days, or three days to rest and you cannot fly.
"This is something that us as a club have to decide," he continued. "So this must be started in the club, with us and me being responsible in that area."
No food in the dressing room
Another rule that aims to bolster physical fitness is a ban on bringing food into the dressing room on matchdays. This was introduced as part of a push on elite conditioning.
This order was revealed last December, when Amorim was asked about his squad's fitness and made a telling statement regarding physical fitness.
"You can do a starting line-up with the best players on the planet, without running they also won't win," he stated in December of 2024. "We have to run like mad dogs, if not we won't win."
Losing team in training picks up equipment
A new rule that has been introduced ahead of this season is one that aims to foster accountability. When the team splits into two sides during a training ground match, the losing side must pick up all of the equipment.
This was installed after United's dismal 15th-place finish last campaign and players have spoken out about it and a significant rise in standards.
Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United in action during a first team training session
The losing side in training gets all the equipment
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Speaking about the rule, on-loan United youngster Toby Collyer told The Athletic: "Everyone wants to be the team that wins. You don't have to get the gear in then. It's a jeopardy if you lose! All the other teams have to get the gear in."
Diogo Dalot also added that pre-season standards have risen compared to last year, hinting earlier in August that the new rule may be working. He said: "If you want to be in Manchester United, you need to match some standards. If you can't match them, it's not a place for you."
No complex instructions from coaches
During his first few weeks at the club Amorim made it crystal clear that his coaches were not to give overly complex instructions to his players. This was done in order to ease communication.
He had aimed to bring with him the style he adopted at Sporting CP, which was intricate and involved specific players knowing and playing their particular roles.
Manchester United head coach / manager Ruben Amorim during the Premier League match between Brentford and Manchester United
Amorim's coaches are not allowed to give complex instructions
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And by not having coaches bog players down with difficult-to-understand orders, they can learn their roles perfectly and act with instruction on the pitch.
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