Ruben Amorim’s last visit to Old Trafford with Braga is a stark reminder of the tenacity Manchester United has been missing.
Now, as Erik ten Hag’s tenure comes to an end, United has appointed Amorim as the club’s new manager, hoping he will inject the fighting spirit his Sporting CP side has exemplified, winning two league titles and three domestic cups.
The Red Devils’ lack of resilience this season has been evident, particularly in disheartening 3-0 defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham.
However, Amorim’s 2012 visit to Old Trafford with Braga during the Champions League shows a different type of United—a team that never shied away from a comeback.
In that memorable match, Amorim’s Braga stunned the home crowd, with Brazilian striker Alan scoring twice within the first 20 minutes to give Braga a 2-0 lead. But under Sir Alex Ferguson, United’s resilience was legendary.
Javier Hernandez halved the deficit just five minutes later, Jonny Evans scored an equalizer in the 62nd minute, and ‘Chicharito’ completed the comeback with a winning goal 15 minutes before the final whistle.
The last time United staged a similar comeback was in December 2023, when Rasmus Hojlund’s late goal sealed a 3-2 Boxing Day victory over Aston Villa. Unfortunately, these moments have been rare in recent years.
Ten Hag’s response to United’s loss against Tottenham earlier this season only underscored the team’s lack of self-belief. Reflecting on that game, he said, “I ignore that game against Spurs because we were down to 10, and the red card was later overturned.
Everyone agreed it wasn’t the right decision; it was an injustice to assess the team on that performance.”
If Ten Hag lacked confidence in the team’s ability to fight back, it’s no wonder the players have struggled with resilience. Now, with Amorim’s arrival, there’s hope that he can inspire a revival, driving United to display the grit and determination that once defined the club.
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