Ruben Amorim felt very powerless in training – we had to plead with him not to get upset

Ruben Amorim's former coach Mauricio Larriera has revealed a sense of 'powerlessness' and frustration that the tactician felt during his playing days.

Despite being set to manage Manchester United from the sidelines in their upcoming match against Ipswich Town at Portman Road, Amorim's past as a player wasn't always smooth sailing. The current Red Devils head coach began his career with Beleneses back in 2003, climbing the ranks before sealing a move to Benfica in 2008.

While with Benfica, former Portugal international Amorim may have only notched up six goals and 14 assists, but he also experienced loan spells with Braga and Al-Wakrah – it was during his time in Qatar that Amorim encountered Larriera. Under the guidance of the Uruguayan, Amorim learned valuable lessons but also dealt with challenging times on the pitch, as disclosed in an interview with O Jogo.

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Larriera reflected on Amorim's spell in Qatar, saying: "He always played very well, but unfortunately he was sent off in one game. No, in two. And he apologised to me for it. It's part of the game, but he was even more upset than me when things didn't work out. The impotence he felt overcame him.

"In one game he got two yellows and we ended up losing. In the other it was for a foul, a bit due to tiredness and a bit due to impotence. He felt very powerless. In training he'd get upset and we'd say to him, 'Ruben, please don't get upset'. Sometimes it was him, 'Mauricio, please don't get upset'.

"He didn't understand certain things, Qatar was in the process of growth. When he was angry, I'd