Ruben Amorim plays down Ed Sheeran’s awkward post-match interview gatecrash as Man United boss insists ‘it was nothing’ despite popstar labelling himself a ‘b****nd’

Ruben Amorim has played down the misunderstanding with Ed Sheeran after his first game as Manchester United head coach at Ipswich on Sunday.

Amorim was speaking to the Sky Sports pundits after the 1-1 draw at Portman Road and didn’t look impressed when Sheeran, a minority owner of Ipswich, inadvertently interrupted the interview to speak to Jamie Redknapp.

The music megastar subsequently apologised, but Amorim dismissed the incident and claimed that similar issues were also blown out of proportion when he was in charge of Sporting Lisbon.

‘Yeah especially in Portugal, in Portugal it is so difficult,’ he said. ‘Sometimes you overcomplicate things, it was nothing, a simple thing to say hello to one of the commentators. And I was with Roy Keane, who is a real star, so it was nothing.’

Amorim’s second game against Bodo/Glimt of Norway in the Europa League on Thursday will also be his first at Old Trafford. 

‘Everybody said to me it will be a special time,’ he added. ‘I just want to win the game, just to give that happiness to the supporters. Before the match it will be a new sensation but after it will be one more game and we want to win.’

Ruben Amorim has played down Ed Sheeran’s awkward post-match interview gatecrash

Sheeran interrupted the live segment on Sky Sports after Manchester United’s draw at Ipswich

Pop sensation Sheeran later revealed he was not aware Amorim was being interviewed

Sheeran issued an apology on Instagram and labelled himself a ‘bit of a b****nd’

The 39-year-old has warned that United must be prepared to ‘suffer’ for some time as they try to adapt to his ideas and 3-4-3 formation. 

Amorim revealed that he will rotate his squad to give as many players as possible a chance to get up to speed, but was reluctant to say how long it will take to get them all up to speed.

‘We have to do it (rotate),’ he said. ‘Especially in this moment because we have a lot of games, we are in the beginning of something and they have to feel they are part of it. They are international players, they have to rotate. We will have to try and have an idea of how to play and everyone has to been on the same page.

‘It is hard to compare things. We are in a different level, this is a different league, so it is harder than Portugal, but I also have more experienced players. They all play for national teams so we have to increase levels. I don’t know how long but I know without time to train it will be tough, but it will be tougher for them than me.’

Amorin also said that he is prepared to tweak his system when needed, adding: ‘We will do it, we have to do it, and when I talk about our structure, I believe we can play in different systems.

‘We defend more in this game sometimes. Nowadays every team changes the dynamics so we will adapt that. I think our structure, the power of it is to change the formation in each game.’

Amorim confirmed Lisandro Martinez is fit to face Bodo/Glimt after missing his first game with a hip injury, but Harry Maguire will not be risked after he also returned to training on Wednesday.

United will continue to take great care with Leny Yoro as the teenager recovers from metatarsal surgery. 

‘He is available to train but we are working on his fitness,’ said Amorim. ‘He is a young guy, this is a massive club and we are trying to prepare the right way.’