Ruben Amorim has endured a difficult start to life in the Old Trafford dugout – and Manchester United legend Bryan Robson is under no illusion at the size of the Portuguese coach’s task
Manchester United legend Bryan Robson reckons Ruben Amorim has accepted a tougher challenge at Old Trafford than the one handed to Sir Alex Ferguson almost 40 years ago. Ferguson took over a team that was struggling at the wrong end of the table when he arrived in Manchester in November 1986 – and even with Captain Fantastic Robson at his peak, the Reds still finished the season in a disappointing 11th place.
It took the Scot three-and-a-half years to save his job by winning the FA Cup and another three to end United’s 26-year wait for the title – but Fergie then went on to become the most successful manager in the club’s history. Amorim is tasked with an even bigger rebuild, according to Robson.
“Amorim has got a massive job on his hands,” said the skipper who, in 1993, lifted the first of United’s 13 Premier League trophies. Sir Alex had a similar rebuild. But when he came into the club, he brought Eric Harrison, Brian Kidd, and Nobby Stiles onto the staff and said ‘go out and bring me the best young players from around Manchester.’
“He ended up with the Class of 92 – and they came into a team that had already won the Premier League a couple of times. From then on, the club achieved unbelievable things – but that was Alex’s vision.
“You could see the boss planning it. He brought in great players with great attitude – and that’s why he was so successful as a manager.
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“I think it’s a lot tougher for Amorim because of the competition. Man United was massive back in the day and people weren’t talking as much about clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal.
“But now there are a lot of massive clubs with big owners. You’ve got a lot more competition now than Fergie had back in the day.”
Robson became a captain who led by example when he arrived from West Brom in a British record £1.5million deal in 1981. He is remembered as one of the great No 7s – for both club and country.
And while he recognises the contribution that current captain Bruno Fernandes is making to Amorim’s struggling team, the 68-year-old has urged the Portuguese to cut out some of his theatrics.
Robson, speaking exclusively through BetSelect, said: “Bruno has been in fantastic form in the last two months. I think the manager has told him ‘you’ve got to be a leader on the pitch.’
“Bruno is so confident at the moment and he’s making a massive difference. Bruno has done what I’d expect of a United captain. Unfortunately, the team hasn’t been good enough to win as many major trophies as a club like Manchester United should win.
“When you’re at Manchester United, you want to be winning the league and European competitions.” Robson added: “I just hope Bruno stays away from the rolling over when he gets tackled and that sort of thing.
“There’s no extra pressure on you as captain. You’re proud to be the captain of a team like Manchester United. You love the responsibility. As the captain, the inconsistency of the team is not your problem. That’s the manager’s problem.
“I always say if you buy poor players, you’re going to have a poor team. If you buy great players, you’re going to have a great team.”
**Bryan Robson was talking to Mirror Sport via BetSelect **
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