The inside story of Ruben's Old Trafford tour

In a fortnight’s time, the new head coach will stride out of the tunnel to greet Manchester United’s home supporters for the first time en masse. By that point, he will already have taken charge of the Reds for the first time, away at Ipswich Town, and the good luck messages were flowing in M16 on Wednesday.

“Parabens!” (‘Congratulations!’) shouted one compatriot enjoying a tour as Amorim inspected his new position on the touchline. “You will win 3-0,” insisted another fan, who was visiting the ground for the very first time. Everest, from Nigeria, and his wife were celebrating their 14th anniversary and were caught quite unawares when the club’s new head coach interrupted their museum visit.

“I don’t need any other anniversary gift now!” said Everest’s wife, Morẹ́nikẹ́. “It’s perfect — just fine. No flowers, nothing. Seeing the new coach is just enough for me!”

“I told him ‘You will enjoy this place’,” Everest said after.

“It’s the Theatre of Dreams. Everybody enjoys this place. You might have some tough moments, but United is United!”

Shadowing Amorim throughout his tour of the ground, his personable nature shone clear time and time again. He began at the East Stand reception, his tour guide Jason Leach, a diehard Red.

“You can read the history books,” Jason began. “But you need to get an understanding of the club’s very humble beginnings.”

So, to the museum he went, after diverting to meet staff in the offices, including interrupting one member unaware of his presence on a video call!

Jason took Ruben through the trophy room, explaining the club’s foundations as Newton Heath by railway workers and the successful highs and tragic lows that have followed.

And soon enough, to the dressing room, where they stumbled across a stadium tour. “You’re starting, you’re starting, you’re on the bench,” Ruben told the surprised group.

More handshakes, more photos, more jokes, more good luck wishes.

The meetings didn’t stop there. Ella Toone, United Women’s no.7 and all-time top goalscorer, was next, taking a break from fulfilling media duties in one of the Old Trafford suites to say hello.

Finally, to the Directors' Box, the dugouts and the press conference room.

“This is funny. I’ve watched this room so many times,” Ruben said, taking it all in as he sat down in the spot he’ll address the media after every home game. He knows the task ahead.

“Sunday, next week. Ipswich. We will be ready.” 

A feature-length edit will be available next Thursday - subscribe now for access. 

Learn more about the Old Trafford Stadium Tour & Museum here.