Ruben Amorim: 'I can't be the same guy Alex Ferguson was'

Ruben Amorim says he is "the smiling one" but Manchester United's new head coach warned he can be ruthless when he needs to be.

The 39-year-old takes charge for the first time in Sunday’s Premier League trip to promoted Ipswich having been confirmed as Erik ten Hag’s successor at the beginning of November.

Amorim has made a positive impression since starting work at the United in an international fortnight that ended with an impressive first appearance in front of the media.

The Portuguese was gregarious, engaging and smiley throughout Friday’s press conference but that warmth comes with a ruthlessness edge if players do not adhere to his approach.

"You can be the same person," head coach Amorim said.

"Be a positive person that can understand this is one place to be, then there is the dressing room, there are some places to have fun, there are some places to work hard.

"So, I can be ruthless when I have to be. If you think as a team, I will be the nicest guy you have ever seen. If there is someone just thinking about himself, I will be a different person.

"I’m not that type of guy that wants to show that he is the boss.

"They will feel it in the small details, that I can be the smiling one but then when we have a job to do I will be a different person, and they understand that."

'The Smiling One’ follows ‘the Special One’ as United’s second Portuguese manager, with Jose Mourinho one of five managers to try and fail to reach the heights scaled by Alex Ferguson.

The Scot retired as a Premier League champion in 2013 and the Red Devils have failed to launch a sustained title bid since adding that 20th top-flight crown.

Asked about whether he will lean on Ferguson to understand the history of United and whether he has met him, Amorim