Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim took a thinly-veiled jab at former Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag as he addressed the media in his first press conference since succeeding the Dutchman at Old Trafford. Amorim is preparing for his first game as United boss after the club axed Ten Hag at the end of October.

The Red Devils endured their worst start to a Premier League campaign before Ten Hag was sacked after finishing last season in their lowest position since the top-flight was rebranded in 1992.

And Amorim pinpointed the areas where his team have been underperforming as he gave his verdict on the state of affairs at Old Trafford.

“I think we have to improve in a lot of areas, the understanding of the game, it's a different way of playing and we are changing in the middle of the season,” he said.

“I think we have to improve the physical aspect of the team. I don’t know how long it will take, but I know if you are at Manchester United you have to win games, so I will not tell you I need a lot of time.

“It's a great league, the strongest in the world, and we have to improve a lot. We have to win games and then to win titles.

“If you want to speak about the team, I think we lose the ball too often and we have to be better at running back. I think that is clear to everyone and I think we have to be better on the details. We have to improve on the small things. In the small things, I think I can help a lot.”

United travel to Ipswich on Sunday for their first clash of the Amorim era after winning just four of their 11 Premier League matches this term.

Ruud van Nistelrooy helped steady the ship ahead of Amorim’s arrival after guiding the team to a 1-1 draw with Chelsea and a 3-0 victory over Leicester following Ten Hag’s departure. But there was no place for the former United striker in Amorim’s coaching set up.

Amorim continued: “Call me naïve, but I truly believe I am the right guy in the right moment. I could be wrong, but the world still will turn, the sun will rise again - I don’t worry about that. I truly believe I’m the right guy for this job.”

And the Portuguese added: “Two years, you can understand if you have found the right manager to go in this process.

“I think we will need more time because if you look at the other clubs winning in this league they have been making this progress for a long time.

“We will have to win something somewhere, but in two years I think you will be able to see if it is right to continue in this path.”