Ruben Amorim's five-word instruction to Manchester United squad will be put to the test

"Guys, we have to have fun." Ruben Amorim wore a big smile across his face and a casual black jacket and jumper as he addressed some of his Manchester United players for the first time on Tuesday.

He looked energetic and fresh-faced, like the rising star of the managerial scene he is. The problem is that when his predecessors depart Old Trafford, they always look to have aged dramatically. It never looks like it has been much fun when the end comes.

Certainly, nobody seemed to be overly enjoying themselves towards the end of Erik ten Hag's reign at the club, least of all Ten Hag at times. It's easy to come in and try and spread good vibes. It's harder to maintain that when - or if - things begin to go wrong.

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The reality is that this shirt weighs heavily. Representing United has never been easy, but it's particularly difficult in the modern era when expectations remain high but reality only rarely brings success.

Most of this squad suffered United's lowest-ever Premier League finishing position last season, and that was never going to be fun. It's not a lot of fun representing a club that can compare itself to Real Madrid at times but sits 13th in the Premier League table and 15th in the Europa League standings.

But Amorim is right. They really do need to have some fun. The teams that enjoy themselves, enjoy the company of their teammates, enjoy the sessions the coaches put on, and enjoy the cut and thrust of competitive games are the teams that end up successful.

Just look at Sporting. It looked an awful lot of fun as they tore Manchester City apart just over a week ago. It arguably looked even more fun as they mobbed Amorim after a memorable comeback against Braga in his final game in charge. Maybe it's easy to have fun if you're winning, but winning doesn't always come before the fun. Sometimes it can be the other way around.

Watching the footage of Sporting's players celebrating with Amorim, the thought occurred that we would never see that with Ten Hag at United. He didn't come across as that sort of character, the kind of manager that would take a group of players with him through force of personality alone.

Maybe that is harsh. Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez speak warmly about their former Ajax manager. Ten Hag threw the shackles off when he danced on the Wembley pitch with Martinez and Antony after winning the Carabao Cup, but it felt like he never developed that kind of relationship with players he didn't already know.

It might be a slightly unfair analogy, but it feels like Ten Hag was the headteacher type and Amorim the PE teacher. Everyone found it easier to get on with the PE teacher, and there are players in the United squad who never cracked the Ten Hag enigma and always felt he was a little standoffish.

Amorim has a more open and warmer personality. The strength of the bonds he develops within a club is often key to his success, and he will be looking to do that at United. He also won't have the option that Ten Hag had in 2022 of immediately bringing a couple of former players with him.

The 39-year-old is clearly a capable relationship builder. His English is excellent, and his communication skills are strong. He looks to have the methods and the personality to make playing for United fun, and that is undoubtedly going to be important.

The challenge will be to maintain that when results inevitably hit a dip. That is when Amorim will really have to show he can bring the fun and remove the pressures that so often inhibit those involved at Old Trafford.