NEW Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim has hailed former Republic of Ireland skipper Roy Keane.
The former Sporting boss makes his debut as Red Devils’ gaffer this Sunday against Ipswich Town.
The new manager held his first press conference today as he spoke with the media ahead of Sunday’s clash at Portman Road.
Amorim replaces Erik ten Hag as gaffer appointed by part owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and his new senior management team of Omar Berrada, Sir David Brailsford, Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox.
But prior to today’s presser, the 39-year-old manager sat down with United legend Gary Neville to speak detail his plans.
Amorim spoke about what fans should expect from his side before being asked by Neville about the Corkman.
Neville mentioned that he’d heard that the new Utd boss wanted to sit down with former midfielder Keane to get further insight into the club.
Sky pundit Neville asked if he could arrange the meeting as he’ll be working with Keane on the coverage for Utd’s clash against Ipswich over the weekend.
The new Utd boss played at Old Trafford twice for Braga and Benfica during his time as a player, and he admitted that he really admired the Irishman as a player.
Amorim laughed before hailing the legend: “Hahah, he [Roy Keane] was a player that I really liked. I know he’s a little bit crazy but he was a massive player.
“I like players with character. I think the can improve – not just what Roy Keane did on the pitch – the way he influenced others.
“That is very important in one player, you must have this kind of player in the big clubs, and I hope in the future we’ll have players like Roy Keane.”
The Lisbon native went on to add that he also hope to get to enjoy dinner with Alex Ferguson as he hopes to pick the legendary manager’s brain.
Amorim is United’s sixth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in May 2013.
His successors have all failed to win the Premier League, although there has been a sprinkling of FA, Europa League and League Cup success.
Speaking in his first presser as boss, Amorim is confident he can end the club’s long wait to return to the summit of the English top flight.
He said: “Call me naive. But I truly believe I am the right guy in the right moment.
“I could be wrong but the world still will turn [and] the sun will rise again, I don’t worry about that.
“I truly believe I’m the right guy for this job.
“In two years you will understand if I am the right man to be in this process.
“In two years you can understand if you want to continue on this path or you want to change.
“I know if you are at Manchester United you have to win games, so I will not tell you I need a lot of time.”
