Home
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted that his team is still facing challenges in fully asserting themselves on the pitch, acknowledging that the squad is "not good with the ball." The Portuguese coach stressed that while United have shown flashes of promise, inconsistencies and minor details have prevented them from reaching their full potential this season.
Close margins and missed opportunities
Ruben Amorim highlighted that Manchester United have been unlucky in key moments that could have changed the narrative around their performances. He pointed to their impressive opening display against Arsenal and crucial missed penalties against Fulham and Brentford as examples of fine margins impacting results.
He said:
"It is the results and imagine we won the first game against Arsenal, and then you don’t miss the penalty and win against Fulham, even without playing really well, the trust would be completely different. If you win everything would be okay."
These moments, Amorim suggested, have affected team confidence and contributed to perceptions that United are struggling despite some positive performances.
Tactical flexibility and formation challenges
The United boss also addressed the team’s formation and tactical approach, noting that they do not always operate in their intended system. Ruben Amorim explained that recent games have seen the team play in varying setups, such as using a back four instead of a back three:
"There is no back three, lately we play with Luke Shaw, two centre-backs and a right-back. It is not three centre-backs. Against Brentford the second half was like a 442."
He emphasized that the team’s struggles are not solely related to formation but also to broader aspects of play:
"The problem is we're not good with the ball, we are soft without the ball."
Identity and adaptation
Ruben Amorim defended his decision-making and resisted media criticism of the team’s identity. He stressed that Manchester United have played in a similar system for many years and that any changes would need to consider all aspects of the game.
"The media cannot dictate what I am going to do. It is not a 343 all the time, I think we need to look to all of the parts of the game, this team play in a different system for many years, and you are talking about a lack of identity. What could this team be like in a different system, maybe this team can win more games but if we don’t change certain things we will not win titles."
Amorim’s remarks underline his focus on gradual improvement while acknowledging current shortcomings. The manager appears committed to refining both the tactical system and the squad’s execution to achieve better results in the remainder of the season.
ADVERTISEMENT
