Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is orchestrating a major cultural shift at Old Trafford, drawing inspiration from the club's glorious past to shape its future. The Portuguese coach, who recently completed his first year in charge, is planning to bring legendary figures like Eric Cantona back into the fold to mentor the current generation of players.
Tapping into United's Rich Heritage
Amorim's vision involves leveraging the vast experience and knowledge of the icons who defined Manchester United's most successful eras. According to reports, he holds a deep admiration and appreciation for these legendary figures and believes their involvement can significantly accelerate the development of his squad, particularly the younger talents.
The 39-year-old manager, formerly of Sporting Lisbon, has reportedly identified several key names from United's history. Alongside the iconic Eric Cantona – whose signing in the early 1990s is widely credited with spearheading the club's dominance – Amorim wants to involve members of the legendary 1999 treble-winning squad. This includes global superstar David Beckham, midfield maestro Paul Scholes, and strike partners Teddy Sheringham, Andy Cole, and Dwight Yorke.
A Strategy Forged from Personal Experience
Amorim's plan is deeply personal, shaped by his own playing career at Benfica. A club insider revealed to The Sun: Throughout his own career, Ruben always loved when former players and legends of the clubs he played for would interact with the team - sharing knowledge, stories, and advice about what it means to represent the club.
The source added that Amorim, having experienced the intense pressure at a massive club like Benfica, understands how to use that environment for growth. He believes these exchanges with legends can help players maximise their potential both on and off the pitch during their time at United.
Addressing a Notable Absence
This initiative comes at a time when Manchester United has no former players actively involved with the first-team group. While Darren Fletcher serves as the under-18s coach, the direct link to the glory days has been missing since figures like Ruud van Nistelrooy and Michael Carrick, who was assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, departed.
This stands in contrast to many other top European clubs, who regularly integrate their historic figures into backroom staff or ambassadorial roles. Amorim's project aims to fill this void, creating a tangible connection between the club's storied past and its ambitious future.
The focus on youth development is particularly timely. United's squad includes promising but inconsistent young talents like Benjamin Sesko – the club's most expensive summer signing – and Amad. Academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo has also struggled for Premier League minutes, yet to secure a league start. The guidance of proven winners could be pivotal for their growth.
Of all the legends, Eric Cantona holds a special place in Amorim's vision. The Frenchman, who spent five years at United, scored 82 goals, won four Premier League titles, and claimed two FA Cups. The insider noted: Ruben loves Cantona. He sees him as the embodiment of the spirit and aura of Manchester United. Amorim wants that iconic energy and heritage to be felt by everyone in the current squad as he builds on the best unbeaten run of his tenure so far.
