Ruben Amorim | File Image
Amorim: We have to understand that and think and be pragmatic that these guys had two days to train and to change so much
By Valentine Amanze
“We are going to suffer for a long period, and we will try to win games,” Ruben Amorim, the Manchester United new manager, said at his post-match press conference after drawing 1-1 away with Ipswich on Sunday.
The visitors got off to a dream start when Marcus Rashford scored from close-range in the second minute after a fine run from makeshift wing-back Amad Diallo.
But United quickly went off the boil, looking ponderous in attack and uncertain at the back, with Omari Hutchinson giving third-bottom Ipswich a deserved equaliser at the end of the first half.
Neither team could find a winner after the break.
Amorim, who was not satisfied with the performance of his new team, singled out keeper Andre Onana for praise.
“We could have won, we could have lost if it were not for (goalkeeper Andre) Onana,” he said.
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He was optimistic that they would win matches.
“We have to understand that and think and be pragmatic that these guys had two days to train and to change so much,” Amorim said.
Manchester United, languishing in 12th place in the Premier League, are already 15 points behind Premier League leaders, Liverpool, after 12 games and six points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal.
Amorim arrived in Manchester earlier this month to much fanfare after replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag.
He is touted as one of the most exciting young coaches in Europe after winning two Portuguese titles with Sporting Lisbon.
Amorim is the club’s sixth permanent managerial appointment since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 after leading to United to a 20th English title.
At 39, Amorim is the youngest United boss since Wilf McGuinness followed Matt Busby in 1969.
In mitigation, Amorim had just days to work with his full squad after the international break.
And he pleaded for patience as he gets down to business.
United next face Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt at home in the Europa League on Thursday — which will be his first taste of a match at Old Trafford.
Amorim said that he would have to find a way to train his players alongside a cascade of matches both domestically and in Europe over the coming months.
“With this schedule, we need to rotate the team,” he said.
“So we’ll try to use that to train, to improve the team, and to win matches.
“So that’s the point. Without time, we have to find the time. I think this is the only way.”
He admitted it would take time for the players to get used to the specific demands of his 3-4-3 formation, but said they had to take risks now to ensure long-term prosperity.
“Next year in the same stage we’ll be here with the same problems,” Amorim said.
“Or we start now, we risk a little bit, we suffer a little bit and in the next year we will be better at this point. So we have to risk it a little bit.”
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