Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim reacts during the match. — Reuters
Ruben Amorim did not hold back after a disheartening start to his tenure at Manchester United on Sunday, acknowledging that the struggling club will "suffer for a long time." If that's not what frustrated fans want to hear, the evidence from the lackluster 1-1 draw against Ipswich was clear. The visitors got off to a promising start when Marcus Rashford scored from close range in the second minute following a fine run by Amad Diallo, who was playing as a makeshift wing-back. However, United soon lost their momentum, appearing sluggish in attack and shaky at the back, allowing Omari Hutchinson to equalize for Ipswich, who deserved the goal given their performance in the first half. Neither team could secure a winner after the break.
"We are going to suffer for a long period, and we will try to win games," Amorim said in his post-match press conference, aiming to manage expectations. "This will take time, but I know we have to win games. We could have won, we could have lost if it weren't for (goalkeeper) Andre Onana." He added, "We have to understand that and be pragmatic, considering these players had only two days to train and make significant changes." United, currently in 12th place in the Premier League, are already 15 points behind leaders Liverpool after 12 games and six points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal.
Amorim arrived in Manchester earlier this month amid much fanfare, succeeding the sacked Erik ten Hag. He is regarded as one of Europe's most promising young coaches, having won two Portuguese titles with Sporting Lisbon. Amorim is the club's sixth permanent managerial appointment since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, leading United to their 20th English title. At 39, he is the youngest United boss since Wilf McGuinness followed Matt Busby in 1969. Despite the hype surrounding Amorim, United's lackluster performance at Portman Road highlighted the immense challenge he faces in restoring the club to Premier League dominance.
In his defense, Amorim had only a few days to work with his full squad after the international break. He appealed for patience as he begins his work. "It's hard to expect anything now," he said. "It's not a surprise, but you have to see it in-game." He added, "So that's why I was a little anxious, because you cannot predict what will happen in the game. I felt that. I felt they were trying, they were thinking too much during the game, and that is normal." United's next match is at home against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday, which will be Amorim's first taste of a match at Old Trafford.
Amorim acknowledged the need to find a way to train his players amidst a packed schedule of both domestic and European matches in the coming months. "With this schedule, we need to rotate the team," he said. "So we'll try to use that to train, to improve the team, and to win matches. So that's the point. Without time, we have to find the time. I think this is the only way." He admitted it would take time for the players to adapt to his 3-4-3 formation but emphasized the need to take risks now for long-term success. "Next year, we'll be in the same stage with the same problems," Amorim said. "Or we start now, we risk a little bit, we suffer a little bit, and next year we will be better at this point. So we have to risk it a little bit."
Source link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com
