Manchester United fans are all too familiar with the feeling: optimism that turns to exasperation, flashes of brilliance that fade into inconsistency, high-profile signings that somehow just don’t seem to fit.

So, when Erik ten Hag was brought in with all the promise of tactical precision and discipline, hopes were high. But fast-forward, and it’s becoming clear that whatever chemistry the Dutch manager was hoping to spark just hasn’t caught fire.

Now, United are on the lookout again, and Ruben Amorim, the young and fiery manager from Sporting CP, is one of the front-runners. Could he actually be the answer to turning United’s misfortunes around?

Amorim’s rise in football management has been meteoric. Just a few seasons ago, he was carving out a reputation with Braga, earning accolades for his aggressive, high-pressing style and his ability to motivate young, hungry players.

Sporting CP noticed, snapped him up, and the results were almost immediate. Amorim led the club to its first Portuguese league title in nearly two decades, making him a cult hero among fans. He didn’t just win, though – he transformed Sporting’s style.

Amorim managed to blend old-school passion with modern tactical versatility, giving Sporting CP an identity that had been missing for years. This is exactly the kind of energy that Man United need right now.

United’s problem isn’t just tactical; it’s almost spiritual. They’re a club with a glorious past, but that past is often more of a weight than a source of inspiration. There’s this shadow of Sir Alex Ferguson, this almost mythic era of constant success, which can be both an inspiration and a curse.

Amorim’s strength isn’t just in his tactics but in his ability to rally a club behind a fresh vision. He’s proven he can handle clubs where the pressure is immense, where fans are desperate for a revival of glory, and where there’s more to fix than just formations and line-ups.

Let’s talk style of play, too. Amorim’s style is very “next-gen.” Unlike Ten Hag, who leans on the Dutch tradition of possession football, Amorim has crafted a more dynamic, pressing-focused game that seems a perfect fit for the modern Premier League.

It’s fast, direct, and demands high energy – perfect for players like Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and even young breakout stars who are eager to impress. The philosophy revolves around “vertical football,” aiming to move the ball quickly from defense to attack with as few touches as possible.

It’s attractive, but more importantly, it’s aggressive. This is a strategy that could keep United from getting bogged down in possession and allow them to play to their strengths on the counterattack.

There’s another intangible asset that Amorim brings to the table: fearlessness. He’s not the type to second-guess himself, which sometimes makes his decisions look a bit wild – but in a league where players are often micromanaged to the point of paralysis, that might be exactly what United need.

He’s unafraid to throw younger players into big games, a trait that could work wonders at United, given their promising youth setup. Imagine a few seasons down the line: a team with Rashford and Fernandes at their peak, joined by rising stars given serious playing time and trust, creating an intimidating mix of experience and young talent. This vision is something the Old Trafford faithful could get behind.

There are, of course, doubts. Amorim’s relative inexperience at the top European level is a sticking point for some. Managing in the Portuguese league is not the same as handling the Premier League’s relentless pace and pressure.

Sporting is a big club, but it’s not Manchester United – a global brand where every decision is scrutinized, where the stakes are always sky-high. But, to be fair, Ten Hag had experience and it still didn’t translate. Perhaps what United need right now isn’t the safety of experience, but the daring energy of a manager who still feels he has everything to prove.

The reality is, hiring Amorim would be a gamble, but it could be the one that finally pays off. He could ignite a fire at Old Trafford, shake up the squad, and introduce a mentality that says, “We don’t play to keep up – we play to win.”

That’s something the fans would rally around in an instant. United is a club in need of a shift, something that breaks away from the revolving door of managers and uninspired tactics they’ve tried in recent years. Amorim’s youth, his vision, and his relentless approach could be exactly what they’ve been waiting for.