Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim insists he is not in a good mood after back-to-back wins and it is too early to dispel doubts as the margin is so close. The Red Devils followed up their home game against Sunderland with a Harry Maguire-inspired victory at Liverpool, making them the first player to win back-to-back league titles under the Portuguese manager.
However, Amorim remains keenly aware of just how narrow the gap is after Liverpool were denied three decisive strikes. It’s been nine months since United’s defeat at home to Brighton led Amorim to publicly question whether his side had been the weakest in the club’s illustrious history. Despite United’s recent upturn in results, these widespread concerns remain even after United’s last win lifted them to within two points of the top four.
“No, what I’m saying is we can’t change that much,” Amorim told reporters on media questions ahead of the game against Brighton. “At the end of the question, I think I’ll be asked about my top four, so I don’t want to change too much because of a difference of 20 centimeters.
“If (Cody) Gakpo had hit a 20-centimeter shot here, the story would have been completely different. So I just want to stay calm and have some direction in what we’re doing. That’s what I’m saying.”
“If you’re the manager of this kind of club (and) if you don’t win a lot of games, people will doubt you. And they have their reasons, but my view is that we need to be clear about our path and we don’t need to change much just because we win one game, that’s all.”
Amorim have deployed their summer signings, with Senne Lamence, Matheus Cunha and goalscorer Brian Mbeumo all starting at Anfield. Benjamin Sesko started on the bench but finished the game in the front line and will aim to join Amorim in the starting lineup on Saturday.
United have lost their last three home league games against Brighton and have won two of their last eight games in all competitions. One of those successes came solely from a penalty after a goalless stalemate in the 2023 FA Cup semi-final.
Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler was asked about the fitness of Kaoru Mitoma, who found the back of the net at Old Trafford last season but has missed the last two games with a foot injury. The Seagulls are expected to be slow in calling up Japanese players, but Diego Gomez is in good health despite being substituted early in the last match against Newcastle.
Coach Hürzeler said at the pre-match press conference: “I think Kaoru Mitoma will be useful for us in any match, because he has special qualities that will always be dangerous for the opponent.” Indeed, it would be great to add him to the team if he is available.
“We won’t complain[if he doesn’t]. We will find a solution. We have other good players. Tommy Watson might have a chance, other wingers in our team might have a chance, but definitely we will make every effort to have him in the team because he is a game-changer for us.”
