"I speak from the heart" - Ruben Amorim responds when asked about 'poet' nickname coined by Cristiano Ronaldo

Manchester United new boss Ruben Amorim has responded to his nickname of 'poet' given by Cristiano Ronaldo. The 39-year-old assumed charge at Old Trafford earlier this month after Erik ten Hag was sacked.

Amorim is one of the brightest young managerial talents in the game, leading Sporting CP to two Primeira Liga titles in four years. He has now arrived on English shores to take charge of United.

In his first interview as the United boss on Friday (November 15), Amorim said about his 'poet' nickname given by Ronaldo (as per the club's website):

“Yeah. But it's like a funny thing because when I speak, I speak, I think I speak from the heart. I think the people feel that it was something just to have fun.”

It's pertinent to note that Amorim and Ronaldo were teammates with the Portugal national team. Ronaldo is now with Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr, whom he joined on a free transfer in December 2022 after two decades in European football.

That includes seven and a half seasons across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals and winning three Premier League and one UEFA Champions League title, among others. Most of those goals (119) came during his first spell between 2003 and 2009.

Meanwhile, Amorim is set to take charge of his first United game on November 24 when his side visit newly promoted Ipswich Town in the Premier League. The Red Devils are 13th in the standings after 11 games, winning four times, including a 3-0 home win over Leicester City in their previous outing.

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How has Cristiano Ronaldo fared this season?

Foormer Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo

Former Manchester United attacker Cristiano Ronaldo is in the midst of a solid season with Al-Nassr, his second full campaign in Saudi Arabian football. He's coming off a 44-goal season, including a record 36 strikes in the Saudi Pro League.

In 15 outings across competitions this season, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner has notched up 10 goals and three assists. Most of those goal contributions - six goals and two assists in nine games - have come in the league, where Stefano Pioli's side are third after 11 outings, six points behind runaway leaders Al-Hilal (28).

Ronaldo has also scored twice each in the AFC Champions League Elite and the Saudi Super Cup, where Al-Nassr fell 4-1 in the final to holders Al-Hilal. Meanwhile, in the continental competition, Pioli's side are unbeaten in four games, winning three.