Ruben Amorim has admitted that Manchester United are in a fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League after their humbling defeat to Newcastle.
The dismal 2-0 loss at Old Trafford, described as “embarrassing” and “grim” by former club captain Gary Neville, means United are just seven points above the drop zone at the halfway stage of the season.
Questioned directly about Sky Sports if Manchester United was now in a fight for the descent, Amorim admitted: “It is clear. It is one of the maximum moments in the history of Man Utd and we will have to” take honesty. “
Amorim added later in his press conference: “When you have these kind of moments, especially in the big clubs, it’s really hard to turn things around, especially when you don’t have a lot of time to train the basics, to cope with the difficult moments.
“So we have to recognize our position, the way you look at the league, everyone can beat everyone. So we have to dedicate and survive. “
United’s next game is up against league leaders Liverpool on Sky Sports on Sunday.
In-form Newcastle simply overpowered Amorim’s side in the opening 30 minutes, with United’s fourth consecutive defeat effectively confirmed long before half-time.
“They were the better team and they started very strong,” Amorim said. “It was very hard for us to turn it around after we conceded the first goal because of the results before and we didn’t have the positioning to cope with the difficult moments. The players suffered a lot on the pitch and it was really hard on us. Newcastle are a better team.”
Amorim’s side once again came back into the spotlight as Christian Eriksen and Casemiro, as predicted before the attack by Neville and his Sky Sports colleague Jamie Carragher, were outplayed in midfield. Joshua Zirkzee, chosen as inside left-back, lasted a short hour before being replaced amid widespread mockery at Old Trafford.
Before the match, Amorim responded when asked if he would change his approach.
“I hired him for that idea, and in those difficult moments, if you replace your mind, that’s the end of any coach,” he said.
And after the defeat he asked if he plans to change his approach, which went to a 3-4-3 training, for a provocative amorim to stick to his principles.
“It’s a selection that everyone has to make in football. If I think it’s the most productive thing for the team, I’ll continue to get my message across. “
The concern, however, is that United recently returns, even after the mid-season manager following Erik Ten Hag’s replacement with Amorim.
“There is no doubt that this has deteriorated actions and effects in recent weeks,” said Neville. “They have it very complicated, some of the players with the system have it very complicated with confidence, and fear is that they have dragged a fight near the background. “
“It’s ominous. This first part of the hour was difficult to watch.
“A lot of what we saw that we knew was going to happen. I didn’t see any balance in the selection of the team. Once I saw the team, I thought it would be a StrugglearRay. “
Carragher just as scathing.
“We have been speaking about Eriksen and Casemiro on this show 18 months ago. These players can’t run. We know that. That is on the manager putting these two players in that position and in that system.
“But right now it is not just about tonight. United have lost five of their last six. That’s relegation form.”
Adam Bate of Sky Sports in Old Trafford:
“With bad results, it’s difficult to sell a concept,” Ruben Amorim told Sky Sports before Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle. “I was hired for that reason, and in those difficult times, if you replace your mind, that’s the end for any coach. ” But sticking to this concept also poses problems.
Manchester United was a disaster from Newcastle’s start. This is partly due to the lack of confidence of the players. The sad sight of Joshua Zirkzee booed on the pitch before the emblematic breakup of an organization of players who seem dissatisfied with their jobs.
But there is a formula meant to make your task easier, not harder, and whatever your opinion of the quality of Amorim’s legacy equipment, it’s hard to argue that this is rarely at least one component of the problem. Many of them seem uncomfortable in their role.
Diogo Dalot was stationed so high up in the box for much of the game that it would have been more natural to have a left winger there than an old right back. When he received the ball he could only paddle it in and not to offer any real width.
Naussair Mazraoui has done a little more on the other flank and Matthijs of Ligt does not need to be dragged to giant spaces through Alexander Isak. Lisandro Martinez is one of the few who adjusts this form and endured a depressing night in red.
Amorim would no doubt have liked to have stepped into this task last summer or next than to have been pushed into a congested game list and asked to resolve the upheavals on the fly. But the hope would have been that he could confuse and build for next season.
This remains a hope, but in reality he will have to take over or possibly start this rebuild at the back, being questioned even before his first full season at the helm. As he himself acknowledges, there is a concept of selling to the players, the public and their bosses.
Amorim does not need a trophy. A season out of Europe could even make things simpler. There is no expectation United fire. Just function. But a third Premier League defeat in a row without so much as scoring a goal, is unacceptable even at this low ebb.
Sunday, January 5: Liverpool vs Guy Utd – Premier League, kick-off at 4:30 p. m. m. , by Sky Sports
Sunday, January 12: Arsenal vs Man Utd-Fa Cup Third Round, Kick-Off 3pm
Thursday, January 16: MAN UTD vs Southampton – Premier League, kick in P. M.
Sunday January 19: Man Utd vs Brighton – Premier League, kick-off 2pm
Thursday January 23: Man Utd vs Rangers – Europa League, kick-off 8pm
Sunday, January 26: Fulham vs Man Utd – Premier League, Kick -off 7 p. m.
Thursday, January 30: FCSB vs man UTD-Europa League, start at P. M.