Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted he is “very, very mad” that his players have not been able to deliver the level of performance they showed at Liverpool.
The Red Devils put in a confident and assured performance at Anfield fight with a deserved point away from their bitter rivals: Bruno Fernandes lead by example with a fine display in midfield.
United lined up with Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo in midfield and the pair produced arguably their best displays of the season, complementing Fernandes who showed greater maturity on the ball and a grasp of greatly improved decisions.
Harry Maguire could have won the game at the death for United, but he spooned Joshua Zirkzee’s cut-back over Alisson’s crossbar.
talking with Sky Sports after the game, Amorim admitted that he was happy with United’s display, but was more irritated by the fact that his team had put in several below-par performances since taking over.
“I get angrier because of the other matches, so it’s even harder to understand some things,” Amorim reflected. “It’s not about a system, about technique, it’s about something else and it’s difficult for the coach to understand.
“It’s a point and I think we should be angry and disappointed more than what we did against Newcastle. We must be very disappointed and I have to calm down and say the right things. We are in a difficult moment. If we play Liverpool every day we will, but we have to do it against any opponent. We have to fight very hard to get out of this situation.
“The way we were really competitive, that’s the biggest thing going forward. I’m happy with the performance, not happy with the result, but I’m really, really mad about the other games.”
unitedThe team’s strength of character has been questioned on numerous occasions – Amorim himself admitted before the game that his players have been “scared” at times – and the Portuguese added BBC Match of the Day that his team had shown what they are capable of when they are fired up and playing to the best of their ability.
“That should be a big problem for our players that even one person thinks you have the ability but not the character, we have to fight that and change that,” he said. “I think it’s very clear. When we are focused, when we fight for every ball, when we suffer and are tired when the game ends, we are a good team.
“If we don’t do it all the time, we’re going to lose games. That’s clear to everyone.”
