Ruben Amorim did not try to hide his frustration after Manchester United slipped to a third defeat in seven days by losing 2-0 against struggling Wolves on Boxing Day
Ruben Amorim sent Bruno Fernandes some pointed criticism after he was sent off in Manchester United’s damaging defeat against Wolves.
United slipped to a third straight defeat in all competitions as their 10 men went down 2-0 at Molineux on Boxing Day. After a tight first half, Fernandes gave Wolves the advantage when he was shown a second yellow card for catching Nelson Semedo on the ankle.
Matheus Cunha opened the scoring when his inswinging corner flew over Andre Onana and into the far corner. Amorim made attacking changes in search of an equaliser but Wolves secured the three points they needed to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone when Hwang Hee-chan scored on the counter-attack in the 98th minute.
Fernandes has now been sent off three times in 27 appearances in all competitions this season and his lack of discipline was costly. Amorim was left to reflect on a third defeat in a week – and he wasn’t shy in attributing blame, saying the red card changed the game.
“Of course, when you lose, when we don’t win, it’s a step back. It was really hard with the sending off,” he told Prime Video. “The goal was similar against Tottenham. Then, we tried. Even with one less guy we tried to and I think we were near something but then Wolves scored the second one. Then, in the end, we tried everything and the transition was 2-0. For us, let’s continue.
Asked about Fernandes’ red card, Amorim said: “I think he cannot go to the ball. He’s trying to reach the ball and some guys are not even looking at the ball but I don’t want to focus on that. I think the good thing is we were near the goal, even with 10 men. That is a good thing, but we lost.”
He added: “It’s so tough to win games in this league with 11 men. With 10 men, it’s more difficult. We have to focus on that.”
Amorim has been frustrated by his stuttering start since taking over from Erik ten Hag, with his players unable to carry out his instructions. “We have to improve the relationships, but we have some moments,” Amorim said. “We lack a little bit of aggression, but we don’t train. We just play and try to find a better way to win games and that’s it. We can’t control the games like the other ones that we lost.
“I think we were always in control of the game, not always dominating, but in control of some things, some set-pieces. The sending off was really hard for us.”
Amorim left Marcus Rashford out of the squad for the fourth straight game and was inevitably asked about his absence. “It’s always the same reason it’s going to be,” he said. “We have to be the same professionals, the same guys, winning or losing. Losing, I have to be stronger. I will continue with my idea until the end.”
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