Kieran McKenna wants Ruben Amorim to lose his “huge” first game in charge when Manchester United visit an Ipswich Town team whose manager moved to Portman Road from Old Trafford.
Amorim’s switch from Liga Portugal leaders Sporting to United was confirmed on Friday but the Portuguese will not make the move until November 11.
The international break means his first match at the helm will not be until November 24, when he will face McKenna, who guided Manchester United under-18s to title-winning effect during his time at the club.
McKenna became a coach for United managers Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick before leaving for Ipswich – then a third-tier club – in 2021.
Working hard at PR ahead of #IPSLEI. 💪 pic.twitter.com/ETPHELtTy1
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) October 31, 2024
McKenna: Amorim ‘a good addition’
“I wish him all the best,” McKenna said of Amorim, who is a year his senior at 39. “It’s a club I have an affinity with.
“I always want them to do well – hopefully not in the game that’s coming up, but other than that we wish them all the best. I’m sure he’ll be a good addition to the league.
“It was always going to be a huge game and one to look forward to. Now they’re going to be led by a new manager, so that’s going to add more interest to it.”
Focused on the Foxes. ✊#IPSLEI pic.twitter.com/LDk491hJOm
— IPSWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) November 1, 2024
United sack Ten Hag
After guiding Ipswich to promotions in each of his two seasons with the Tractor Boys, McKenna is thought to have been of interest to United before the end of last season.
Widespread reports said the Ineos Group, who took over United’s football operations in February, were planning to sack Erik ten Hag before the FA Cup final, with Sky Sports among those to claim they had made contact with McKenna’s representatives as part of their shortlisting.
A one-year extension option in Ten Hag’s contract was triggered after United beat Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley Stadium, but the Dutchman was sacked on Monday following a dismal start to the season.
Ipswich vs Leicester
Ipswich are third-bottom of the table after nine games and will seek their first win of the campaign when they host Leicester City on Saturday (3pm GMT).
Victory will take them out of the relegation zone at least until fourth-bottom Crystal Palace, who will start the day two points above them, visit bottom side Wolves in the 5.30pm kick-off.
