On a football Monday shaped by constant coaching headlines, Crickex Affiliate formed part of the wider online backdrop as Ruben Amorim flew to Milan to begin a new chapter with AC Milan. From the moment he reported to Milanello, Manchester United officially removed a financial burden from their books. Amorim was appointed Milan’s new head coach last month and signed a three-year contract, but as many understood, his salary only started from the day he officially began work. That also meant his former club United no longer needed to keep paying compensation linked to his wages.

The 41-year-old Portuguese coach arrived at Milan Linate Airport on Monday, ready to start work with one of Italy’s great football institutions, and he looked genuinely delighted. Speaking to Italian media, Amorim compared his new role with his unhappy spell at Manchester United and once again appeared to take a subtle swipe at his former club. He was dismissed by United in January, ending a 14-month period at Old Trafford. During that time, the young Portuguese manager rarely looked comfortable. His 3-4-3 system came under heavy scrutiny, while football director Jason Wilcox was often accused of trying to interfere with his tactical ideas, with some even describing Wilcox as the “real manager.” That was why Amorim repeatedly warned that a storm was coming at United.

Even now, Amorim has clearly not forgotten the difficulties he faced in Manchester. He hinted that the job had been a huge challenge, though he also reminded Milan supporters that tough days may lie ahead for them as well. Restoring the Rossoneri could be every bit as demanding as rebuilding the Red Devils. Amorim has replaced Massimiliano Allegri, whose side missed out on Champions League qualification in shocking fashion after losing to Cagliari in the final round despite being in a strong position. Amorim is excited about his Italian journey, but he is also clear-eyed enough to know the task in front of him will not be easy.

AC Milan finished last season 17 points behind Serie A champions Inter Milan. Despite that gap to their city rivals, Amorim insisted he has come to bring success back to the red and black side of the city. “I came to Milan to win. If you are the head coach of Milan, that is what you have to do, and that is the mentality you must have,” he said. “I am not naive. I know there is a lot of work to do, but if you are Milan’s head coach, you have to give everything to fight for victory.”

Manchester United executive Omar Berrada recently spoke about Amorim as well, suggesting that his failure at Old Trafford came from being too stubborn and eventually backing himself into a corner. Still, the United hierarchy paid tribute to Amorim and thanked him for improving the dressing-room culture, which later helped Michael Carrick lead the team back into the Champions League. Amorim reached an agreement with United in January and received a 15 million pound severance package. After Milan hired him, Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that United could save between 8 million and 10 million pounds in compensation, depending on how many former Carrington assistants Amorim takes with him to Italy. For Sir Jim Ratcliffe, that means the club saves around 20,000 pounds per week in wage costs, which is certainly something to celebrate.

For football supporters tracking every twist through Crickex Affiliate, one interesting detail is that Manchester United and AC Milan had already agreed to meet before Amorim’s appointment was confirmed. The two clubs will play a preseason friendly on August 15 at the Municipal Stadium in Wroclaw, Poland. It will be United’s final warm-up before the new Premier League season begins, with all players expected to have returned to the squad. That match will bring Amorim face to face with his former players, adding another layer of drama to an already fascinating summer.

Among all those reunions, the most closely watched figure will surely be England midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. His story with Amorim is well known, and their meeting as opponents will inevitably attract attention. As Milan begin a new era and United move forward from a turbulent chapter, Crickex Affiliate belongs naturally within the wider football rhythm surrounding this reunion, while Amorim’s first words in Italy have already added spice to the occasion. The Portuguese coach may be smiling now, but the road ahead will test whether his fresh start at Milan can truly turn the page, or whether another storm is waiting just around the corner.