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EPL Ruben Amorim’s first words as Manchester United head coach came as he strolled on the Old Trafford pitch in an interview with the club’s own media channel. He spoke of understanding the “massive challenge” in front of him, but of feeling “relaxed” and “at home” at the same time. He explained how there should not be excessive attention on his preferred 3-4-3 system, talked about his connection with Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Sir Dave Brailsford, Omar Berrada, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox, and shared why Cristiano Ronaldo once called him a poet. Advertisement Received wisdom says 7pm on a Friday is usually a good time to sneak out bad news, but United doubtless believe the footage of Amorim — released on MUTV at that time — will override convention and grab attention. Here are five key quotes and an analysis of their wider context. “All the people are hungry for success and this is the place I want to be. Also because of that, you can be part of something special, not just one more. And that is something that I really like. ” Amorim has drawn comparisons with Jose Mourinho for his strong rhetoric — and a working relationship — but the younger of the two Portuguese head coaches, 39, is not about to call himself a “special one”, as Mourinho did on his arrival in English football at Chelsea in 2004. GO DEEPER Amorim's internship with Mourinho at Manchester United - by those who were involved He is, however, tapping into the idea that he can be an agent of change in terms of United returning to a mythical status. Amorim has already said he likes coming to United when there is much work to do because he has a licence to sculpt the club, as he did Sporting Lisbon, who had failed to win the Portuguese title in 19 years. United’s most recent Premier League title came in 2013. Amorim did not mention Manchester City but United’s local rivals are there between the lines. Taking over from Pep Guardiola at City would have meant continuing the conveyor belt of Premier League trophies. Amorim’s good friend Hugo Viana, the director of football who is swapping Sporting for City in the summer, might have wanted his pal to join him there. Guardiola is now expected to continue past the end of this season as Amorim relishes taking a position on the red half of the Mancunian divide. “I feel the connection with the people in the club, and that is very important for me because I want to work with people I like. Sir Jim and Sir Dave, but especially Omar, Dan and Jason. I felt a connection and I felt we are in the same moment. We want to do something special in the special club. That was a key point. ” Advertisement Amorim bringing up Ratcliffe and Brailsford, director of sport for the former’s INEOS empire, seems telling. They were involved in the hiring process and Amorim met Ratcliffe, United’s new(ish) billionaire co-owner, when he was appointed Erik ten Hag’s successor. Ratcliffe has a key say on football decisions. Berrada, United’s chief executive, was a pivotal figure in Amorim’s arrival and was the first to greet him at the club’s Carrington training ground on Monday in photographs released by United, with sporting director Ashworth and technical director Wilcox also full of smiles. None of the football leadership team are expected to speak at Amorim’s official unveiling, so we are left with the new head coach providing insight into their thinking. He is firm in his mind that he was the first choice for the role. “When Manchester United talked to me, Omar, they told me about their plans and you get excited, ” Amorim told MUTV. “It’s a real honour because I was the first choice to start that path. It’s a great responsibility. But you feel honoured to be part of that. Manchester United is the engine of the Premier League. ” “A lot of people now talk about the 3-4-3 and the 4-3-3 and all that stuff. But when I think as a player or as a team-mate of Manchester United, it is not a system of formation, it’s the character of the players, the way they see the club. We have to focus on that before everything of how we play, how we press. “The most important thing is to create the principles, the identity and the character that we had in the past. We need time, but we have to win time. To win time is to win games. But the most important thing is identity. “So since day one, we will start with our identity. We are going to prepare the games, but we will focus a lot on our game model: how to play, how to press, these small things, small details. You cannot go 100 per cent on every detail because it will be confusing for the players. So if I have to say one thing, my main goal, my first goal, is identity. ” Advertisement Amorim focusing on the quality and personality of his players, rather than the formation in which they will line up, echoes the kind of thing Ten Hag said. It has merit, though. United have failed to recruit the right blend of players since Sir Alex Ferguson retired as manager after that most recent title in May 2013. He also seems aware that this group of players have struggled to adopt some of the finer technical points Ten Hag tried to instil. The Dutchman’s approach was to drill down further through video meetings and repetition. Amorim is suggesting he will take a lighter touch, at least to start. “I don’t want to say we need time because we are a young team. They are prepared to cope with the demands of playing for Manchester United. They should be, because they are here. We have to start without fear, without thinking they are not used to playing like this. This is not on my mind. They will start on the first day with our idea, no matter what. That’s the goal. ” That answer was Amorim’s response to Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad, Leny Yoro and Rasmus Hojlund being listed as young players he could build a team around. The eldest of that group is the 22-year-old Amad, who could thrive as one of the attacking midfielders in Amorim’s system. Amorim accepting there are expectations, even with a youthful team, should be music to the ears of Ratcliffe, who is in a hurry for success. Amorim’s preference for a back-three formation raises the question of whether United’s academy teams will switch from their 4-2-3-1 and whether the club’s youth recruitment will reflect any changes. Amorim has a good record of developing talent. In the Sporting team, he brought through centre-back Goncalo Inacio, now 23 and a Portugal international, and wide player Geovany Quenda, 17. He cautions that seeing his style immediately will be difficult. “It’s hard to say, ” Amorim said. “I want to say beautiful things to you, but I’m honest. What I can say is that I think you will see an idea. You will see a positioning. You will see something that we want to reach that kind of level. But we have to know that it’s, like, two trainings before the first match (away to Ipswich Town next Sunday). This is the best league in the world. But if I have to say something to you: you will see an idea. This I can guarantee. ” “It’s a funny thing because I like to speak, not too much, but when I speak, I speak from the heart. I think the people feel that it was something just to have fun. ” Amorim was reflecting on the time Ronaldo, United’s legendary former player, called him a poet when they were Portugal team-mates. Portuguese reporter Marcus Alves told BBC Sport: “Eloquent and outgoing, Amorim is irresistible and dominates the words in such a way that Cristiano Ronaldo used to call him ‘poet’ in the national team. ” Advertisement Amorim’s way with words was clear at his final game away to Braga on Sunday, when his team came back from two goals down to win 4-2. Players submerged Amorim when Sporting’s third goal went in. The travelling fans showed deep affection for him, and even journalists in the press conference expressed thanks for his conduct during his four-year tenure. United fans will hope he brings something lyrical to Old Trafford. (Top photo: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images) Get all-access to exclusive stories. Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us. Laurie Whitwell worked for the Daily Mail from 2010, covering midlands football for the last five years, including Leicester’s remarkable Premier League triumph. Whitwell was nominated for sports scoop of the year at the 2019 SJAs for breaking Wayne Rooney’s move to DC United. He will be reporting on Manchester United for The Athletic. Follow Laurie on Twitter @lauriewhitwell