Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has insisted his side are a “massive club but not a big team” and highlighted their work rate off the ball as an area in need of improvement.
United secured two wins in Amorim’s opening three games in charge of the club, against Bodø/Glimt and Everton, but suffered their first defeat under the new boss against Arsenal in midweek.
Goals from Jurien Timber and William Saliba earned Mikel Arteta’s side a 2-0 win as United now drop to the bottom of the Premier League table ahead of their upcoming game against Nottingham Forest. Live on Sky Sports on Saturday (5.30pm kick-off).
Ahead of the game, Amorim spoke openly about the problems plaguing his side and how much work remains to be done before United can once again be one of the heavyweights of world football.
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Ruben Amorim has said he has to “manage expectations” at Manchester United and admitted he is still searching for his best squad ahead of the Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest.
He said: “It’s very clear. We’re a massive club. We know that, so we have to believe more.
“We have some good things, but you can feel there is a lot to do. We have to be better in the final third.”
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Arsenal vs Manchester United Premier League highlights
When asked if fans should temper their expectations in the near future, Amorim continued. “It’s not going to change because of past glories.
“Our players must understand that it is a difficult position, we are not the best team in the league, but our past is the best in the league.
“We have a problem, but we need to focus on the details.”
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Manchester United were knocked out by Ipswich in Amorim’s first game in charge, but that has been a problem all season, explains Sky Sports’ Peter Smith.
Amorim. You can’t go faster, but you can run further
One small detail he has decided to work on is the fitness of his players.
United sit sixth in the bottom of the Premier League in average distance covered and Amorim has now made it his mission to improve their work rate off the ball through the stadium.
“It’s impossible to win the Premier League without a team that doesn’t run,” continued Amorim.
“You can make a starting line-up with the best players on the planet, without running they won’t win either. We have to run like mad dogs or we won’t win.
“The problem is, can they cope with it? If they are used to it during training, they will do it in games.
“They can improve. You can’t be faster, but you can run more in training. Every coach has different ways of pressing.”
Approaching his preferred XI
The former Sporting boss has made a total of nine changes to his three Premier League squads but says he is closer to identifying his preferred starting line-up.
“More or less, yes,” he said. “We have an idea, we have problems with players returning and you have to manage the workload.
“Bruno Fernandes, you felt at Arsenal that he was a bit tired, but you know he will recover. We are in the process of getting to know the players, but we are getting closer, yes.”
