Ineos might have redeemed themselves with Ruben Amorim decision at Manchester United

Manchester United's fixture list between the October and November international breaks always looked favourable on paper.

Five of their seven assignments between the second and third pauses of the season were at Old Trafford, meaning Erik ten Hag, after being granted a stay of execution during the October pause, must have fancied his chances of salvaging his United premiership, or at least delaying the inevitable.

United, to their credit, were much-improved against Brentford in what turned out to be Ten Hag's final home game in charge, but they came unstuck against Fenerbahce and West Ham United on the road. The defeat to West Ham, as harsh and as controversial as it was, was the final straw. Less than 24 hours later, Ten Hag was pointed in the direction of the exit.

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Despite winning the FA Cup in May, a lot of United supporters were still insistent the Dutchman should have gone at the end of last season. An eighth-placed finish in the Premier League was simply unacceptable for a club of United's stature.

Almost 160 days later, Ineos made the decision that had long since felt inevitable. As this reporter argued last month, it was Ineos that was under greater pressure than Ten Hag as the conclusion of his tenure neared, highlighting that their dawdling and indecisiveness had put United in a position that could have been avoided.

But what's done is done. You cannot turn the clock back. Ten Hag is gone and now the challenge lies at the feet of Ruben Amorim, who was successfully installed as United's new head coach on Friday.

He will officially take charge on November 11, meaning interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy will oversee the hat-trick of home games United have over the next week or so, starting with Sunday's visit of Chelsea. Amorim's first game in charge will be against Ipswich Town on November 24.

Amorim will arrive in Manchester with a growing reputation. He is, in United's own words, 'one of the most exciting and highly rated young coaches in European football'. With that tag, it is easy to understand why he was endorsed by both Liverpool and Manchester City.

The 39-year-old, who is the youngest permanent coach United have appointed since Wilf McGuinness in 1969, has overseen a sterling job at Sporting since taking charge in March 2020, winning five major trophies including two league titles. United, of course, will represent a huge step up in expectations.

Nevertheless, Ineos quickly sounded Amorim out as the man they wanted to replace Ten Hag. For all of the links with Thomas Frank, Gareth Southgate and Xavi in recent weeks and months, United had their heart set on Ten Hag's replacement before he had even cleared his desk, and they moved fast to get the deal done.

Amorim is a coach with a growing reputation, stemming from the identity he has installed at Lisbon. His trademark 3-4-3 formation should and must be implemented at Old Trafford.

United, having shaken up the hierarchy, the wider coaching team and now the head coach over the last eight months or so, must now embrace a new identity on the pitch. The football had become stale under Ten Hag, meaning a change in system and approach can only be viewed as a positive.

Amorim is as good an appointment as United could have wished for. They missed the boat with Thomas Tuchel and the number of elite-level managers who are currently without a club are few and far between.

Amorim feels different to who United have turned to in the past, in the sense he has potential and a point to prove. United have previously gone down the route of appointing seasoned winners, such as Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, but neither of them implemented a style of play that left supporters on the edge of their seats.

Results, of course, are what win trophies, meaning you could argue style plays second fiddle. But considering United are still some way from challenging for the biggest prizes they dream of winning again, they should attempt to get back to those lofty heights by playing an attractive and recognisable brand of football.

Amorim's appointment, just like any other managerial appointment at any club anywhere in the world, is not without its risks. However, it is certainly an appointment you can understand from an Ineos perspective.

If Amorim hits the ground running and United become attractive to watch again, their dawdling at the end of last season might just be forgotten about.