Reuben Amorim suggests that if Manchester United wants to change their playing style, they may need to consider changing their managers. United lost 3-0 at the hands of Manchester City in the first derby of the season, leaving just four points behind their first four Premier League matches. This marks the worst start to the season since the 1992-93 campaign.
Amorim, who was appointed on November 1st last year and has been signed with the club until 2027, manages just eight wins in 31 Premier League matches. As a result, United finds themselves suffering at the bottom of the table that makes up the league’s ever-present team since his appointment. The recent defeat likely brings more doubts about Amorim’s future at the club.
“Guys, I understand that and I accept it,” Amorim said. “It’s not a record at Manchester United. There’s a lot of stuff. I don’t know what happened in these months, but I’ll accept that. I won’t change.”
“When I want to change my philosophy, I change. Otherwise, you have to change the guy. We talk about all the games we lose. I don’t believe in it, the systems, etc.
“My message is that I’m trying to give it everything. I’m doing it all and always thinking about what’s best for the club. It’s always the same message.
“It’s not my decision, it’s not the rest (United Change Manager or not). Until I’m here, I’ll do my best. I really want to win the game. I’m struggling with more things than they do.”
Amorim maintained the stance that United were better than last season despite managing one victory in five league and cup matches. They also scored only one goal from open play over six hours of Premier League action.
“As a result, I’ll accept that,” added Amorim. “I think we’re doing better, but the results don’t show that. I remember last year we played against City at a former club. We won 4-1 (sporting in the Champions League), which wasn’t close to the opportunity to control the game compared to today.
“In certain moments, we weren’t better than the city. I understand that. It’s difficult, and the record says it all. I understand.”
United began to be encouraging, but Phil Foden went on a second half strike in the 18th minute, surpassing Altai Bay Indeal and on a sealed victory from Ehring Haaland.
Haaland passed Luke Shaw for his opening goal and sprinted from his own half for another one-on-one with Bay Indil, where he finished. Again, Amorim believed United lacked strength.
“Looking at goals allows you to avoid those goals,” he recalls. “We can have almost everyone behind the ball and be more aggressive.
“In the moment of the game where we’re pushing the city, we’re the second goal. We struggle with goals on the throw-in when we want to recover the ball instead of covering the ball and getting the ball. We can avoid the approach we had in that play and close the goal.
“The third goal, Haaland has all the space. Confusion with the players, and he has all the space to play. At these moments, when I see the goal, I felt there were moments that we could avoid.
“In the transition, a great shot from Brian (Mbeumo). In those moments they were better than us.”
