PA Media/dpa
London
Goalkeeper Andre Onana is confident Manchester United’s squad boasts the quality and pragmatism to embrace incoming head coach Ruben Amorim’s approach.
The Old Trafford hierarchy acted swiftly by appointing the Sporting Lisbon boss last week, having unanimously decided to sack Erik ten Hag following a poor start to his third season in charge.
Amorim enjoyed the perfect send-off in his final match at the Jose Alvalade Stadium on Tuesday night, masterminding a stunning 4-1 win against United’s rivals Manchester City in the Champions League.
Onana was among those impressed viewers and believes the Portuguese is taking over a club with the ability to adapt to his demands, indicating his favoured high-energy 3-4-3 system could also work.
“I did watch the game yesterday,” the United goalkeeper said. “Great victory for them, by the way. Different system, but my players, my team-mates, we are all pragmatic.
“I think everyone here is capable to play in each system, so I don’t think this will be any issue for us. We have big players, so they will step up.” Amorim arrives looking to kick-start a campaign that has begun badly under Ten Hag, who brought Onana to United last summer having working together with great success at Ajax.
“When I heard he was leaving, obviously I feel bad,” the goalkeeper said. “It’s not always easy for players to understand when a manager is leaving.
“But at the end of the day the club have to make a decision and we have to follow.
“Yes, I worked with him, he’s a good manager, I have a very good relationship with him. Why things didn’t work here? We didn’t win enough games, so it’s simple.
“In high level it’s not easy. Sometimes you have to pay the price. Unfortunately it was him.
“We did everything, the players gave everything, we worked hard, we tried out best, but it just didn’t work.”
Amorim’s arrival heralds the start of a new era at United, who first face PAOK in the Europa League on Thursday.
