“It won’t be easy for Amorim to implement his style of play at Man. United”

Former Red Devils player Phil Jones commented on the arrival of the Portuguese coach and is «optimistic» that he will «turn things around», despite highlighting the «difficult» task ahead; he highly praised captain Bruno Fernandes

With Rúben Amorim’s imminent arrival as Manchester United coach , Phil Jones, a former player at the club, commented on the difficulty the Portuguese will have in implementing his style of play in England , recalling that he had already played that way with José Mourinho’s predecessor.

“No, it takes practice on the training pitch. Under Louis van Gaal we played with three defenders and spent many hours on the pitch, 11 against 11, getting the distances right. When the full-back jumps, we have big spaces to cover, so the timing of the actions has to be perfect. It will be difficult, and it is a difficult job, but we have to be optimistic as United fans and hope that he can turn things around,” he began by saying, in conversation with BBC Sport , before giving the floor to another commentator, who is sceptical about the use of 3-4-3 in the Premier League .

“I don’t think a philosophy has to be a formation, it can be changed. The difference is that at Sporting , he dominates most games, plays with a lot of energy, the full-backs fly forward, with a high line and creating a lot of chances. The numbers prove it, but United can’t play that way at the moment. So I would be surprised if he tried to copy what he did there. He’s smart enough, I’m sure, to adjust and use what he has. The important thing is that the work ethic increases, the intensity increases and they are a bit more organised and difficult to play against,” he explained, with the former defender also praising Bruno Fernandes , with whom he has shared the pitch.

“I think sometimes I almost get the impression that he is a bit misunderstood. I can only speak from my experience in the dressing room with him and the time I played with him. He is a leader in the dressing room, he is very good with the youngsters and I think we all have different captains. I think he is a leader who sets an example on the pitch, in terms of the qualities he has and I think he is a player around whom the team is built. He is a fantastic player, he has a lot of ability, his passing ability is superb and I think he is a very good player”, he assured, also talking about the Portuguese international’s attitude on the pitch.

“Does he worry too much? Is that a problem? I prefer that to the other way around, so, no, I like that. I like that,” he concluded.