Ruben Amorim, under intense pressure following Manchester United's disheartening season, has received support from former Red Devil and Portugal winger Nani who believes his compatriot can turn things around at Old Trafford if given time.
Manchester United are 14th in the table and are on course to record their lowest points total in the Premier League era. This has come after United suffered their worst season in more than three decades last season.
Despite United's troubles, the club has no shortage of admirers. Nani, who won four Premier League titles playing under Alex Ferguson, said it was always going to be difficult for the next generation to maintain that level of success.
“I think we have a great coach. We all know that it's a matter of time. It's a big club,” Nani told The National in Dubai, where he was part of a group of Portuguese football legends who were invited to play with the UAE Under-17 national team and other emerging talents.
“It's a big pressure for everyone who comes next [after] a very good generation with a lot of success. So everyone who comes to the club, you know, they have a lot of work to do. I always say it's a matter of time.”
Hailed as a visionary tactician capable of giving the Red Devils an identifiable style of play, Amorim has struggled to improve the team’s performances after replacing Erik ten Hag in November.
“I think the coach is the right coach,” Nani, 38, said. We have some [some] world-class players. We need to bring some more quality and in the future we will get back to our normal life.
“I think [Amorim] is a great coach. He just needs time to adapt and learn more [about] how to play the game in the Premier League. How to put the best teams on the field in the right games because every game is different, every team is different, so he needs to learn that.
“The secret before with Ferguson was he knew which team [he needed to pick] to win that game, so I think that's the problem.”
Having come to terms with their dismal league standing, Amorim and Manchester United have directed all their attention to the Europa League as winning that competition means they will qualify for the Uefa Champions League next season.
Nani agrees that prioritising the Europa league is the right decision. “We have a big chance to win that trophy and winning that trophy gives us the chance to get back to the Champions League,” he said. “So it's a big achievement for him to think about and he needs to work very hard on that.”
United produced the most exhilarating of comebacks against Lyon to qualify for the semi-finals, where they will face Athletic Club for a spot in the Europa League final.
Among the many issues plaguing United, scoring goals is one of the biggest. Before the weekend's match against Bournemouth, Amorim’s team had only managed one goal in their last four league games. Nani believes confidence is the main issue.
“Talking about the attacking line is always difficult because sometimes it's about motivation, confidence. But when you play at that level, your confidence must always be on the top [level],” Nani added.
“The players who are playing, they need to switch on and give everything in every game because we need them, the club needs them. They are there because they have the quality to play for the club. So, yeah, they need to change the moment.”
United must be quietly wishing for Nani’s attacking prowess. The winger retired last December after a career spanning nearly 20 years at the top level.
Last August, he launched an initiative intended to provide support for children with aspirations of becoming professional footballers. That was one of the reasons for his visit to Dubai and why he set up his own academy in Fernao Ferro in Portugal, named the Associacao de Amigos do Pinhal do General – Academia Nani.
“I'm here for this event, to play this game with the kids, to show them and give them the opportunity to be together with us, to interact a little bit, probably help them, teach them a little bit,” he said.
Nani was in Dubai with fellow former Portugal internationals Bruno Alves and Eder. The event was jointly organised by 971 Football Academy and the Dubai Sports Council, with the Portugal stars playing a match in Dubai Silicon Oasis with the UAE U17 team and other talented youngsters.
“Obviously this is a big opportunity for my academy in Portugal and the 971 to connect and open the doors to Europe," Nani added.
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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How to tell if your child is being bullied at school
Sudden change in behaviour or displays higher levels of stress or anxiety
Shows signs of depression or isolation
Ability to sleep well diminishes
Academic performance begins to deteriorate
Changes in eating habits
Struggles to concentrate
Refuses to go to school
Behaviour changes and is aggressive towards siblings
Begins to use language they do not normally use
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh12 million
Engine 8.0-litre quad-turbo, W16
Gearbox seven-speed dual clutch auto
Power 1479 @ 6,700rpm
Torque 1600Nm @ 2,000rpm 0-100kph: 2.6 seconds 0-200kph: 6.1 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENadeera%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERabih%20El%20Chaar%20and%20Reem%20Khattar%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ECleanTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETotal%20funding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHope%20Ventures%2C%20Rasameel%20Investments%20and%20support%20from%20accelerator%20programmes%20%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2012%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Manchester City 0
Wolves 2 (Traore 80', 90 4')
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results
2pm: Serve U – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Violent Justice, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
2.30pm: Al Shafar Investment – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Desert Wisdom, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ahmed Al Shemaili
3pm: Commercial Bank of Dubai – Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Fawaareq, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
4pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Rakeez, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Al Redha Insurance Brokers – Handicap (TB) Dh78,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Capla Crusader, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Company profile
Name: GiftBag.ae
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2011
Number of employees: 4
Sector: E-commerce
Funding: Self-funded to date
North Pole stats
Distance covered: 160km
Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 0
Terrain: Ice rock
South Pole stats
Distance covered: 130km
Temperature: -50°C
Weight of equipment: 50kg
Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
Dubai World Cup Carnival card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-2 Group 1 (PA) US$75,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m
7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m
9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
The National selections:
6.30pm - Ziyadd; 7.05pm - Barney Roy; 7.40pm - Dee Ex Bee; 8.15pm - Dubai Legacy; 8.50pm - Good Fortune; 9.25pm - Drafted; 10pm - Simsir
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
MATCH INFO
England 2
Cahill (3'), Kane (39')
Nigeria 1
Iwobi (47')
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
How to turn your property into a holiday home
- Ensure decoration and styling – and portal photography – quality is high to achieve maximum rates.
- Research equivalent Airbnb homes in your location to ensure competitiveness.
- Post on all relevant platforms to reach the widest audience; whether you let personally or via an agency know your potential guest profile – aiming for the wrong demographic may leave your property empty.
- Factor in costs when working out if holiday letting is beneficial. The annual DCTM fee runs from Dh370 for a one-bedroom flat to Dh1,200. Tourism tax is Dh10-15 per bedroom, per night.
- Check your management company has a physical office, a valid DTCM licence and is licencing your property and paying tourism taxes. For transparency, regularly view your booking calendar.
