Ruben Amorim has admitted Manchester United are suffering “perhaps one of their lowest moments” and urged everyone, including outcast Marcus Rashford, to be “strong at this moment”.
United beat Bournemouth 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday to leave them 13th in the Premier League table, while Amorim’s side head into the Boxing Day trip to Wolves having lost three of their last four games.
Meanwhile, former United talisman Rashford has been left out of the squads for the last three games and gave an interview last week to say he was looking for a “new challenge”.
When asked if the Rashford saga is in danger of becoming a distraction, Amorim replied:
“Because in training everyone is there every day, they understand. That is the key point. I can’t control that for the media and others.
“But I’m really focused and they know I’m so clear in my message. Everyone at Carrington knows what I’m talking about and what I want from Marcus and everyone. It’s not a distraction for us, but that’s my concern not”.
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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim says Marcus Rashford’s omission from the squads of previous matches is due to his performance and admits he will “not lose himself” at the club.
When asked what he wants to see from Rashford, Amorim answered: “Like any other player, they are the best they can be.
“If you have a lot of talent, a lot of performance, a lot of responsibility, at this point, push everybody. Some guys here have a lot of responsibility because they’ve been here a long time.
“This is probably one of the lowest moments for our club, so we have to face it and be strong at the moment. That’s what I want from every player in the team.”
Amorim. I know what I’m doing
Rashford was left out of United’s squad for the first time ahead of the Manchester derby win on December 15 and Amorim has confirmed the striker wants to play for the team but the Portuguese manager is standing by his call.
“Yeah, it’s my decision,” Amorim said. “He wants to play, he’s trying, but it’s my decision, only my decision.
“I’ve talked to a lot of players, individually and in training. I do it my way, and it’s the only way I know. If I don’t do it, I don’t want to lose myself. I don’t want to lose myself I do.”
Amorim has refused to close the door on Marcus Rashford at Manchester United.
Rashford was an ever-present figure under former manager Erik ten Haag and Amorim insists he cannot fault the Dutchman’s reign for his side, who are currently struggling in the Premier League.
United’s woes were epitomized by a leaking press room ceiling during Amorim’s post-Bournemouth briefing; the Portuguese coach even used the comical moment to claim he could turn the club’s fortunes around.
“It is difficult to answer and we need to know it. don’t let this become normal,” he said.
“I understand it’s a difficult moment and it’s on me. From the first day I arrived, it’s on me because I’m responsible for the team.
“We can’t think about it, we have to think about improving, understand the context and not focus on what happened in the past. The present is what we have to do in the future, not to (allow) it to happen again.”
“If I had known, I would have solved all the club’s problems, even this one (pointing to the leak in the ceiling of the press conference room).
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After the disappointing 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth, Ruben Amorim’s press conference was interrupted by a leak at Old Trafford.
“I know what I’m going to do, it’s so clear to me, that’s why I feel so calm, I won’t say calm because I’m really disappointed, but I know what to do.
“But we have to solve the problems step by step, finding answers for everything, but it is a very difficult moment, we understand the fans and we will fight for it.”
Amorim’s passionate message to Manchester United fans
Amorim also spoke of the “anxiety” of Manchester United fans around Old Trafford during the defeat by Bournemouth, but says he can’t blame the fans in the stands for “doing everything right”.
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FREE TO VIEW. From Manchester United’s Premier League match against Bournemouth
The 39-year-old also admitted he understands the frustration and disappointment they are showing among the players.
“I can’t say anything better about the fans,” he said. “What I’m trying to say to the fans is this. we understand. I understand as a coach. I understand the frustration and the frustration.
“We will improve, it will take time. I said the same thing after we beat Everton and people were talking about the top four. So I know it’s going to be really difficult for us in this side said. the supporters we understand, I understand.
“And they’re unbelievable, the support we have. We’re having a season that we haven’t seen in (many) years. The only thing is to face it, prepare the next game like we won, if you can to say that and then go again and try to win a game.
“It’s only from us, they need our help, not the other way around, they’re doing everything right.”
