Ruben Amorim told he's channelling Sir Alex Ferguson method – 'Something we've missed' - The Mirror

Ruben Amorim has been unabashed in making sweeping changes since arriving at Manchester United, and the Portuguese coach has been compared to club great Sir Alex Ferguson

Ruben Amorim has drawn comparisons to Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson due to his ruthless approach to team selection. Former Red Devils star Wes Brown made the observation after the Portuguese boss demonstrated his willingness to make bold decisions since his arrival at Old Trafford.

United kicked off their Premier League season with a narrow 1-0 home loss to Arsenal on Sunday. And there were reasons for the hosts to feel encouraged as United created the majority of clear-cut chances despite succumbing to Riccardo Calafiori's early header.

New arrivals Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha played the full 90 minutes in their United debuts, while Rasmus Hojlund was omitted from the matchday squad entirely. Altay Bayindir, whose display came under scrutiny from Gary Neville following his role in Calafiori's opener, was given the nod in goal amid ongoing speculation surrounding Andre Onana's future.

Amorim, 40, has demonstrated his readiness to make courageous calls since taking over from Erik ten Hag in November 2024. Sunday's team sheet reinforced Brown's earlier comparison between the current manager and club icon Ferguson.

"I remember first coming in and Sir Alex got rid of big names," he told The Athletic (via the Manchester Evening News) earlier this summer in Chicago. "They'd been brilliant for him over the years, but just like that – gone. That's the best way to do it.

"He's signed a few players who can play in different positions, especially those who have done really well in the Premier League. That's a massive thing, something we've missed."

Brown, who made his Premier League debut for United in 1998, joined the club's first team during a period of change under Ferguson. The legendary manager had guided the Red Devils to glory with stars like Gary Pallister, Brian McClair, Lee Sharpe and Steve Bruce in the mid-90s, but wasn't afraid to bid farewell when he felt it necessary.

Onana and Hojlund were brought to Old Trafford by Ten Hag in the summer of 2023 for a potential combined fee of around £115million. Both are rumoured to be on their way out of United this summer, although Amorim insisted on Sunday that Onana's absence was due to a lack of training and fitness.

Bayindir's inability to command his area from an early Declan Rice corner once again highlighted the goalkeeping issues at United. Despite struggles in attack, Mbeumo and Cunha showed promise, while new signing Benjamin Sesko could only do so much in his brief 25-minute appearance off the bench.

Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia were all left out of United's first squad of the Premier League season. Each of the four is expected to leave the club this summer, further demonstrating Amorim's confidence in his decisions.

Academy graduate and ex-United poster boy Marcus Rashford has been loaned to Barcelona in another big call this summer. January signing Patrick Dorgu also made a strong impression on United's left flank on Sunday, showing Amorim's influence is gradually taking shape at Old Trafford.

The last two weeks of the summer transfer window could bring even more changes, with some marketable players still officially part of the squad. However, Amorim's refusal to include them despite the pressure of the Premier League resuming demonstrates a firm commitment reminiscent of Ferguson himself.

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