The tumult at Old Trafford has subsided for now – and at least one former Premier League great believes that the current stretch of good times will continue.
Former Manchester United star Nani offered praise for embattled manager Ruben Amorim in an exclusive interview with Covers, while suggesting that further patience is needed as his one-time club continues to find its footing in the crowded Premier League table.
"Ruben Amorim has been doing well, he's a great manager," Nani told Covers. "We've got lots of talent in the team, so just give them a bit more time to really adapt to the league and then see how they can connect as a team and perform well every single weekend."
Key Takeaways
- Backs Amorim’s rebuild: Nani praises Ruben Amorim for “turning Manchester United around,” saying the club finally has “a good environment” and momentum
- Calls for patience: He stresses the scale of the rebuild – “new players, new staff, new system” – and says the team just needs time to gel
- Ratcliffe’s backing crucial: Describes Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s public support as a “really important moment” after years of managerial turnover since Ferguson.
- Title challenge ahead: Believes United can “compete with Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City,” if not this season then next.
- System still developing: Amorim’s setup “takes time” and still needs “a few players in key positions” to fully work.
Defending Amorim: "You need to have support from the club"
Nani's championship pedigree cannot be contested: he won four Premier League titles, two League Cups, three FA Community Shields, the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Champions League over a nine-year span with Man United.
And with a keen understanding of how Man United is perceived – not only by their own fans but in the eyes of most Premier League supporters – he is quick to defend Amorim, who was heavily rumored to be on the chopping block but appears to be safer with his club having earned 10 of a possible 12 points over its previous four games.
"It's amazing," Nani said of the turnaround. "Like I've been saying, the club, the players, they need time because we know the history behind them. It's not easy for anyone to just arrive and continue that story. So we know there's a big change in the club, a lot of new players, new coaches, new staff, and everyone needs to really understand how big the club is, its history, and how they have to adapt themselves to continue that job.
"Now we are in a good environment, a good mode. From there, we have a chance to build a stronger group of players who can perform weekend by weekend."
Nani pointed out that the challenges Amorim faces are not unlike those met head-on by the long list of Man United managers that followed the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson, whose legendary 28-year tenure ended in 2013.
"It was a really important moment for (minority owner) Sir Jim Ratcliffe because we saw in the last few years so many good managers couldn't meet the expectations," Nani told Covers. "Since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club, he left behind such a huge legacy, so everyone who goes there will feel the pressure. So it's not easy to just arrive at the club and then quickly produce what everyone is expecting.
"So you need to have support from the club, from the owner and to feel like you are home, you need to know that if you lose or you win, you still have time to work, put all your methods on the field, and build a strong team. Now it’s working."
Nani a fan of displaced Diallo, Man United's new arrivals
Nani told Covers he has had a close eye on Man United's performance to date, and called out several new players for their early-season contributions.
"The new guys, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko have been fantastic players for the team," he said. "They've shown their quality and personality.
"They first demonstrate sacrifice for the team, they run. Sometimes we can see them run too much and then they get tired in the middle of the second half, but that's good because we know they will get their reward later in the season."
He also credited Amad Diallo for thriving despite playing out of position. The right wing-back had a stunning strike from just outside the penalty area in the 81st minute of Man United's 2-2 draw with host Nottingham Forest on Saturday, extending his club's unbeaten string to four.
"Amad Diallo deserves more credit," Nani acknowledged. "It's really hard for him as a forward player. He's very effective when he attacks, dribbles, and uses his speed. However, if he has to run back as much as he has been, it's a little tough.
"He will always be tired before the end of the game, but he's doing very well and fighting to help the team get results. I believe that in the near future, the manager will put him in a different position or he will adapt his game to a different position where he doesn't have to run back so much."
An unlikely Premier League title? "Why not?"
Man United still have plenty of work to do if they hope to secure the ultimate EPL prize this season. Their draw, combined with red-hot Arsenal's 2-0 triumph over Burnley, extends the Gunners' lead to eight points over the 20-time league champions.
But Nani still has faith that Man United's days of competing at the highest level are coming soon, if not sooner.
"Why not?" he told Covers when asked about Man United's title prospects. "They are building a strong team and are trying to get back into real competition with the teams that are always at the top of the table: Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man City. So, they are there now. They have the possibility.
"Let's keep on winning games and then we'll see. If it's not this year, maybe they will get the confidence for next season."
Nani went on to suggest that Man United not being in a European tournament this year – shut out for the first time since 2014-15 – will actually work to their benefit.
"Not being in Europe helps on one side, yes," he explained. "Obviously everyone likes to see the team in European competitions because in the middle of the week, when you don't see your team there, you get frustrated. But for this time, for what they are trying to build, it's better because there is more time to prepare the team and to train the players. Sometimes when players have too much pressure, it's difficult to manage the physical side.
"I think if there are no competitions in the middle of the week, it's easier, and then they can work tactically and on a lot of other things to prepare for the weekends."
