Man Utd players' reaction to Ruben Amorim's verdict on post-Sir Alex Ferguson struggles

Ruben Amorim has told his Manchester United players that they've been "living in Sir Alex Ferguson's shadow" as they struggle to replicate his success.

The Portuguese boss arrived at the club last week from Sporting Lisbon but has been putting his players through their paces since Monday. And he's not been shy in delivering some home truths to a squad that currently languish in the bottom half of the table.

Amorim has long been rated as one of Europe's best young managers following his success with Sporting, where he won two league titles. The Sun reports that the players have been "blown away" by his immediate impact with "Mourinho-style confidence" on show.

The 39-year-old once attended Carrington to do a week internship under the Special One - who is among those to try and fail to replicate Ferguson's magic. The Scot was the last man to deliver a Premier League title, that being in 2013, and Amorim believes they haven't used his spirit as a driving force.

A source said: “He told them that top managers have not replicated Sir Alex’s success because they have lived in his shadow, rather than getting their team to play with his spirit. Even before Monday’s first session, the players have been very impressed.

“Then, after the sessions, they are blown away by his energy, approach and confidence. There’s definite Mourinho vibes in the way he speaks and his self belief - but the style is his own. The players think he’s very approachable and that he will understand them. Some of them are calling him Mourinho 2.0.”

Amorim himself has previously dismissed comparisons with Mourinho. The Special One, now at Fenerbahce, was in charge in Manchester for just over two years but is the only man post-Ferguson to register 80 points in a season as he finished second in 2017/18.

Image: Getty Images) Getty Images)

Amorim this week began drilling his players on Monday, but had to deal with a depleted squad with a number of stars still away on international duty. He had the likes of Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount and Amad Diallo and then supplemented the sessions with academy players.

The source added: “He told the ones he’s seen so far that the talent in the squad is unbelievable - but they need to start playing as a team.”

Amorim's first game in charge will be this Sunday when he takes United to Portman Road to take on Ipswich Town. There will be much anticipation about how his team line-up with the new manager having his own ideas on the players whilst he's also expected to introduce the 3-4-3 system he used in Lisbon.

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