Ruben Amorim watched on as Manchester United’s losing run continued but he stuck by his team selection and suggested he would rather get sacked than change his style
Ruben Amorim stood by his selection decisions in Manchester United’s latest defeat and made it clear to Joshua Zirkzee why he hooked him before half-time.
The Portuguese manager presided over another loss as the Red Devils set yet more,unwanted history with their latest reverse. It is the third time in eight days that the Manchester outfit have been beaten without scoring as they head into 2025 in the bottom half.
Newcastle were dominant and scored twice inside the opening 20 minutes with Amorim later reacting by taking off Zirkzee and bringing on Kobbie Mainoo. He began with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in midfield and the duo were outplayed in the middle of the pitch.
Amorim has acknowledged the demise of the team, who are heading towards the relegation zone, but refused to get drawn into any hindsight analysis of his team selection – reminding people that he does not have that luxury.
He told Sky Sports: “That is really easy once the game’s start and then finished to make an evaluation. I have to do it before, the only guy that has to do it before and understand the opponent. Joshua, is our player, and we wanted more power in front. We’re often conceding the first goal from set pieces so we had more guys for set pieces. We are trying to cope with every problem in the team, but sometimes we have a lot of problems. So you push on one side and you leave the other one open.”
Amorim arrived in Manchester with a huge reputation following his success at Sporting Lisbon, where he won several titles with a 3-4-3 formation that he’s quickly implemented at the Red Devils. So far it is yet to result in success but the new man insists he will not change.
Asked whether he would consider tweaks he said: “Maybe – or you continue with your idea and they have to change the coach. It is a choice everyone has to make in football.” Amorim went on to say: “I was here because of my idea and I will continue with my idea until the end.”
Quizzed on his selection to withdraw Zirkzee, who was cheered off by the home crowd before grabbing his jacket and making a beeline for the tunnel: “You have to think about the team, and sometimes about the player. The player is suffering and I was there myself a few years ago.
“I felt he and the team were suffering during the team and we needed another midfielder. It was tough on me to do that and I’ve talked with Josh about that because it’s important to relay the message.”
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