Richard Keys hails 'class' Ruben Amorim attribute spotted in Ipswich draw as the Man United boss seeks first win ahead of Old Trafford debut

Richard Keys has issued rare praise for Manchester United and named the key trait in new manager Ruben Amorim that impressed him most after the Portuguese’s debut game in charge.

Amorim finally got his United reign underway against Ipswich on Sunday and looked set to celebrate an opening victory as Marcus Rashford scored inside two minutes before the hosts forced their way back into proceedings.

The Portuguese head coach admitted his new 3-4-3 formation will take time to adjust to and moments of disorganisation were eventually punished as Omar Hutchinson scored a long-range stunner on the stroke of half-time.

United climbed to 12th in the Premier League standings by taking a point at Portman Road and despite not sealing victory, his tactics still left plenty of pundits impressed.

Jamie Carragher was amongst those left hailing Amorim’s intense press against Ipswich that is a farcry from the defensive chaos previously seen under former manager Erik ten Hag.

Now, Richard Keys has given his verdict on Amorim’s curtain-raiser and credited the 39-year-old’s steely touchline look as he meticulously instructed United’s players throughout 90 minutes.

Manchester United players are attempting to adjust to Amorim’s new tactical demands

Richard Keys named the one ‘class’ attribute that impressed him from Amorim’s first match

Amorim – who is United’s youngest-ever Premier League manager – would have been forgiven for celebrating madly in the dugout when Rashford’s early goal against Ipswich nestled in the back of the net.

Instead, the former Sporting Lisbon boss remained calm and immediately began talking to his assistants instead of losing focus on the game knowing that Kieran McKenna’s side would try and hit back.

It was this attribute that left Keys singing Amorim’s praises and writing in his blog, said: ‘I loved the way Amorim reacted to the goal. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. He was motionless. Class.

‘But – the freshness, the optimism, the joy all faded too quickly and it was clear that despite the system – and there’s nothing wrong with it – this United team is in terminal decline and Amorim has got a hell of a job on his hands.

‘But we knew that didn’t we? There’s no short term fix. He simply doesn’t have enough players who are good enough to wear the jersey,’ the presenter added.

Meanwhile, Amorim reserved individual praise for some of his first-team stars including young duo Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho but also explained that the squad will ‘suffer’ while adjusting to his demands.

Amorim explained that he expects United to ‘suffer’ as they adjust to his new vision

‘It is hard to expect anything now. It is like not a surprise but you have to see it in the game. That is why I was a little bit anxious, because you cannot understand what will happen in the game. I felt that,’ the United boss told Sky Spots.

‘What I understood today is that they are trying, they are really trying. They stay in the positions, they receive information and they try to use it in the game. That is very important.

‘Even in the difficult moments, I felt they were doing the things we said for them to do.

‘I know it is frustrating for the fans, but we are changing so much in this moment with a lot of games. We are going to suffer for a long period and we will try to win games. This will take time, but I know we have to win games.