Ruben Amorim was tutored by Jose Mourinho before joining Manchester United and it seems he has taken some positive and negative traits.
Back in 2018, Ruben Amorim learned from Jose Mourinho at Carrington when the Red Devils were managed by the Portuguese legend.
Ruben Amorim completed an internship under Jose Mourinho as part of his High Performance Football Coaching course, and it is now clear that he picked up a few traits from the ‘Special One’.
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Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe looks on before the trophy presentation after the Europa League final match between Tottenham and Manchester United at the Estadio de San Mames in 2025 in Bilbao, Spain.
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Mourinho has backed Amorim to succeed at United despite a difficult first year in charge.
Like his compatriot, Amorim is particularly good with a microphone in front of him, although he has been accused of being too honest with fans and players at United.
Ruben Amorim press conference before the Europa League 2025 Final
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Ruben Amorim criticising players is Jose Mourinho-esque
Amorim cut a frustrated figure on the Old Trafford touchline as United were defeated by Everton, and understandably so.
After the full-time whistle, Amorim accepted blame for the performance, but in the lead-up to the Crystal Palace match, he turned attention to his players, specifically his wing-backs.
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“What I feel when I see them (Dorgu and Dalot) training, they are doing so much better than in games,” Amorim said in his press conference.
Ruben Amorim on Patrick Dorgu
“You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball. I can feel the anxiety.”
Ruben Amorim
“So I just need to understand the context in trying to help them. I think they are far from the best, and they know it – like a lot of players in our team and like myself.’
“I just look at them, and I think they have so much more to give. So let’s see, let’s see this week if we improve that.”
Amorim’s wing-back system has been criticised, especially on the left flank, where both Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot have been underperforming.
Jose Mourinho’s criticism of Man United players
Mourinho ultimately lost the United dressing room before his dismissal in 2018.
He has always been a divisive figure through his management style, choosing to constantly challenge and often criticise his players.
At United, Shaw was targeted by Mourinho on multiple occasions. Mourinho was never afraid to name and shame his players.
As quoted by Manchester Evening News, Mourinho once said: “They’re lacking maturity. For example Luke Shaw. When I got here two years ago, the boy didn’t even know how to compete.
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“When we talk about Luke Shaw, about [Anthony] Martial, about [Jesse] Lingard, about Marcus Rashford, we’re talking about boys with great potential but who still are lacking a word I can’t say.”
While Mourinho’s criticism did spur some players on, others turned against him in the dressing room. Amorim could risk following a similar path.