The 39-year-old manager is determined to transform United by enforcing a series of strict policies—referred to as “non-negotiables”—as the club faces a demanding winter schedule.
One of the first major changes he introduced at Carrington was prohibiting his coaching staff from delivering overly complex instructions. He believes that any idea that cannot be conveyed in a single sentence should not be communicated until it is simplified. This has been particularly critical as the team adapts to a 3-4-3 formation, which many players are unfamiliar with. The players have responded positively to this approach, appreciating the “clarity” of Amorim’s communication and his dedication to ensuring every detail is understood.
Amorim has also addressed a longstanding issue with a firm stance. During November’s international break, Marcus Rashford and Casemiro faced criticism for traveling to the United States despite being granted only a short rest period. Rashford attended an NBA game at Madison Square Garden, while Casemiro combined a family holiday at Disney World with a visit to an Orlando Magic game.
Former United star Gary Neville criticized their actions and questioned Amorim on his perspective. The manager, who had limited players available during the break due to international duties, clarified that he did not fault Rashford or Casemiro but would not permit such trips in the future.
Discussing the matter, Amorim stated: “Would I set a different structure? Absolutely. But we can’t blame the players—they were told they had five days off and weren’t restricted from flying. Moving forward, it’s my responsibility to establish clear guidelines. Whether it’s three or five days of rest, we must manage this as a club, and I will take accountability for those decisions.”
Ahead of Sunday’s Manchester Derby, with United sitting 13th in the league, ESPN revealed Amorim’s third non-negotiable: banning food in the dressing room on matchdays. This decision aligns with his focus on improving the squad’s physical fitness. Speaking before their recent defeat to Forest, he stressed the importance of hard work, stating, “You can have the best players in the world, but without running, they won’t win. We need to run like mad dogs, or we’ll lose.”
Despite their struggles in the league, United gained some momentum with a 2-1 comeback victory over Viktoria Plzen on Thursday night, thanks to two goals from Rasmus Hojlund, as they prepare to face City in the derby.
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