Man Utd news: Ruben Amorim makes demand as clear reality check sent after Sunderland win

Manchester United news round-up as Ruben Amorim lives to fight another day, Gary Neville issues a reality check and Benjamin Sesko revels in his first Old Trafford goal

Ruben Amorim seems to have bought himself a few more weeks as Manchester United boss following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Sunderland. The under-fire Portuguese head coach headed into his 50th match as Red Devils boss under mounting pressure following the bruising 3-1 loss at Brentford.

But Amorim’s side responded well against the promoted Black Cats, with first-half goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko sealing a much-needed victory before the international break.

New goalkeeper Senne Lammens impressed on his debut as the hosts made five changes, with Mount – another of those brought in – giving them the lead inside eight minutes. Sunderland stopper Robin Roefs produced a string of fine saves but was beaten again in the 31st minute when Diogo Dalot’s long throw was flicked into the path of Sesko to score.

The result lifted United into the top half of the table and to within six points of leaders Arsenal. Amorim can now look forward to being in charge when United return to league action at Liverpool on October 19.

Here’s a round-up of United news heading into the international break…

READ MORE: ‘I made dream Man Utd goalkeeping debut – but brutal snub left me fuming’READ MORE: Belgian media make same Man Utd point after Senne Lammens’ debut – ‘from a distance’

Amorim wants actions not words

Amorim said he wanted actions rather than words after Mount’s pre-match show of support. The midfielder said the squad are “100 per cent behind the gaffer,” before the Sunderland game, with the performance suggesting that was more than lip service to an under-pressure manager.

When the United boss was told about Mount’s comments, he said: “I saw [that] today and I know they want to do their best, and I know they don’t want to change the coach all the time.

“But, like I said during this week, to be with the manager is, ‘I will kill myself to go in every transition’. We need to show with actions.

“And sometimes, when we look at our team, I know for sure that when we see the games in the end, they know that sometimes we can do better. So, I feel that during the week but we need to show that on the pitch, not just at home but also away.”

Neville’s reality check

The win over Sunderland may have eased some pressure but Gary Neville insists Amorim is “not off the hook”. The former United defender said winning the odd game is nowhere near enough for Amorim, who is yet to secure back-to-back league wins after almost a year in charge.

Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, Neville said: “There’s too many defeats, the record’s too poor so I don’t think anybody will be celebrating too much tonight at Manchester United but I think they’ll be relieved that there is a victory which allows a little bit of peace going into the international break.

“Manchester United win the odd game but that’s nowhere near enough. I don’t think anybody would be kidded on by the fact that Manchester United beat Sunderland at home. The fact that it was even in doubt before the game is probably the problem in itself.”

Sesko channels Keane

Sesko channelled his inner Roy Keane as he basked in his first Old Trafford goal. After opening his account in the loss at Brentford, the Slovenian was elated to score in a winning effort against the Black Cats after Mount’s well-taken opener.

With a line that will resonate with the straight-talking club legend, Sesko told MUTV: “It’s my job to try to score as many goals as possible, try to win the game, try to help the team in every single situation and hopefully I get more moments like this.”

On his dream-come-true moment against Sunderland, Sesko said: “To play for a club like this, even train every day, is an obvious pleasure and I’m looking forward to being back [after the international break].

“It feels amazing [to score]. It feels even better because I helped the team to win the game because in the end, it’s important to win the match. I try to help the team as much as possible.”

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