Newly appointed Manchester United manager, Rúben Amorim finds himself grappling with a challenging start to his tenure at one of the world's most prestigious football clubs.
As of December 24, 2024, Amorim's frustration is palpable, as he navigates the complexities of managing a team that has been struggling to find its footing in the Premier League.
The 39-year-old Portuguese coach, took over the reins from Erik ten Hag just last month, stepping into a role fraught with high expectations and immense pressure. His appointment came after a period of instability for Manchester United, which saw them languishing in the lower half of the league table.
Despite his impressive track record in Portugal, where he led Sporting CP to multiple league titles, Amorim faces an uphill battle to restore Manchester United to its former glory.
Since his arrival, Amorim has been candid about the challenges facing the club. "This is maybe one of the lowest moments in our club," he admitted, acknowledging the team's current position in the league.
As of Christmas Day, Manchester United sits in 13th place, marking their lowest standing on December 25 since 1986, during the early days of Sir Alex Ferguson's legendary tenure. The club's recent form has been inconsistent, with two victories, three defeats, and one draw in six league matches under Amorim's leadership.
One of the key issues Amorim has identified is the lack of a clear playing style or identity, a problem that has plagued the team since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson. Under Ferguson, Manchester United was known for its attacking football and relentless spirit, qualities that have been noticeably absent in recent years.
Amorim is determined to address these issues, emphasizing a step-by-step approach to solving problems and focusing on winning matches while preventing injuries.
The manager's frustration is compounded by the absence of key players due to injuries. Marcus Rashford, a crucial figure in United's attack, has been sidelined amid concerns about his commitment to the club. Amorim has excluded Rashford from the squad for three consecutive matches, citing concerns about the striker's advisers and his expressed desire for a "new challenge."
This decision signifies the manager's insistence on accountability and performance from his players. "If you have big talent, we need big performance, big responsibility, big engagement to push everybody forward in this moment," Amorim stated, highlighting the importance of individual contributions to the team's success.
Despite the setbacks, Amorim remains resolute in his mission to turn things around at Manchester United. He acknowledges the frustrations but is focused on the long-term project of rebuilding the team.
"I know what I am going to do. That is so clear for me," he asserted, expressing confidence in his ability to navigate the challenges ahead. However, he also admitted, "I will not say I am feeling relaxed because I am really frustrated. It is a very difficult moment but we will solve it."
Amorim's determination to succeed is evident in his approach to upcoming fixtures. Manchester United is set to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day, a match that presents an opportunity for the team to recover from recent defeats and regain momentum.
Amorim is acutely aware of the significance of this fixture, stating, "We are privileged (in England) we can play on Boxing Day to give some happiness to the fans and we want so bad to win it."
In preparation for the match against Wolves, Amorim has been forced to make adjustments to his squad due to ongoing injury concerns. Defenders Matthijs de Ligt and Victor Lindelof remain unavailable, prompting the manager to rotate his squad strategically to prevent further injuries.
"In this moment it's not rotation to see the players and prepare the future (but) simply to not have injuries," he explained, underscoring the delicate balance between maintaining player fitness and achieving positive results on the pitch.
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