Paul Scholes is in shock. Amorim’s U-turn claims Man Utd rivals are ‘JEALOUS’ days after he said he ‘feels like Ten Hag again’

PAUL SCHOOLS has hit out at new Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, insisting he is now “very excited” about the Portuguese manager’s arrival.

Last week, the legendary Red Devils midfielder said the hype around Amorim was “a bit like Erik ten Hag”.

Paul Scholes has changed his assessment of Ruben AmorimCredit: TNT Sport

Amorim will officially take charge of Manchester United on MondayCredit: Getty

When discussing the Sporting Lisbon manager’s tactical ideas – namely a three-man defense and a possession-based style – Scholes also expressed concern, admitting it was “something United don’t really do”.

But ahead of his former club’s 2-0 Europa League win over PAOK on Thursday night, Scholes turned his comments into an extremely positive one.

It came just two days after Sporting Amorim’s side thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League.

Speaking further TNT Sportsaid Scholes: “I’m really excited about it. We had managers and players waiting for us that we didn’t really have any competition to try to sign.

“Especially some players where there are no players like Barcelona, Man City and Liverpool – they are being watched by big clubs.

“I think with Ruben Amorim, everybody is looking and a little jealous because I think some of them really, really wanted him.

“I know he was talked about at City when Pep left, that’s why they thought so highly of him.

“We didn’t really have that before. We had (Louis) van Gaal, for whom it was a surprise to get a big job at that stage of his career.

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“For (Jose) Mourinho, it was probably his last big job and it was a bit of a surprise for the Chelsea rivalry.

“It’s the first one where you think, ‘Yeah, it’s a real coup’. We got there ahead of three, four, five of the best clubs in Europe and it’s exciting. I can’t wait for him to come.”

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Amorim was heavily linked with the Liverpool job earlier this year before Arne Slott was appointed as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement.

He flew to London for talks with West Ham and there were reports that he was being offered to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

But he ended up at Manchester United, a position he will officially take up on Monday.

His first game in charge comes after the international break on November 24 when they travel to Ipswich.

Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will take charge for a fourth and final time on Sunday when Manchester United host Leicester.

Ruben Amorim – ‘Mourinho 2.0’ who turned Sporting from ‘the walking dead’ to Portuguese champions… he can revive Man Utd

WHEN Ruben Amorim took over at Sporting Lisbon in March 2020, one club official compared their situation to the “walking dead”, writes Jordan Davis.

Optimism and hope were at an all-time low.

But Amorim’s impact was almost instant, leading the Portuguese sleeping giants to their first league title in 19 years in 2020/21, losing just once and conceding just 20 goals.

Since then, Sporting have won another league title in 2023/24, as well as two League Cups, and are currently top of the table with nine wins from nine this season.

He may be young, but Amorim already has an eye for reviving and revitalizing fallen superpowers with his infectious charisma and intense tactical philosophy that almost never wavers.

The Walking Dead at Manchester United must be praying for a similar revival.

And they might just get it from one of the continent’s most talented young managers – a man used to breathing new life into crumbling venues like Old Trafford.

Amorim has spent the last decade dreaming of one day playing in the English Premier League, such was his admiration for former United boss Jose Mourinho.

Amorim, often dubbed ‘Mourinho 2.0’, spent a week with his coaching idol during his internship at United’s Carrington training base in 2018, going on to cite him as his ‘point of reference’.

United should not expect a mini-Mourinho, as Amorim himself said: “Mourinho is one of a kind. There will be no other Mourinho. Mourinho is unique.”

And yet, you can’t help but compare the two.

For all the mismanagement at Old Trafford over the years, it would be a real advantage – finally a slap in the face for which Prem’s United rivals have no answer.