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Open Amorim makes a positive impression

Open Amorim makes a positive impression

BBC News2 days ago
A 'sit down' on tour with travelling UK media is a bit of a tradition at Manchester United.It hasn't happened every summer, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho both scrapped them at short notice, but generally it is a chance to ask questions in more depth, when the pressure on the manager is not as intense as when the season actually starts.It also allows a manager (or head coach) and the journalists to show their human side and, in theory, sustain a healthy rather than confrontational relationship.We may never get to the point with Ruben Amorim that Ferguson reached, where he knew the first names of the reporters who covered the club extensively and, in many instances, what they wrote or said, but even the Scot was never as open as Amorim was in Chicago when we spoke last Friday.He was full of smiles, was happy to chat - briefly - about matters other than football and seemed to be enjoying himself.There have been explosive 'sit downs' in the past but I can't recall any United boss being quite so open and this is the 19th trip I have been lucky enough to be part of for various organisations.It was impossible not to warm to Amorim on a human level and he does genuinely seem convinced Manchester United are on the right track.Everyone – including him – is acutely aware of the chances of the feelgood factor being wrecked by a testing start, which includes meetings with Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea in the first five Premier League games.But if Amorim's mood is any guide, United fans have reason to be optimistic for what lies ahead.
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