Amorim: Manchester United is a “massive club” but “not a massive team”

Manchester United’s new head coach, Ruben Amorim, has stated that the club is “a massive club but not a massive team,” as he endeavors to guide them back to prominence in English football. The team has not secured a Premier League title since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013. While United has shown improvement following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal on October 28, their recent 2-0 loss to Arsenal on Wednesday, coupled with other match outcomes, has resulted in only a single position advancement in the Premier League standings, placing them 13th since Ten Hag’s departure. Amorim, whose squad is scheduled to play Nottingham Forest at home on Saturday (17:30 GMT), acknowledged that his team was outperformed by Arsenal and that the match served as a “reality check.” He articulated, “That is very clear. We are a massive club but we are not a massive team. We know it, so there is no problem to say it.” Nevertheless, Amorim, who commenced his role as United’s manager on November 11, asserted that this situation does not necessitate a re-evaluation of the club’s objectives. He stated his understanding that the club’s illustrious history inherently leads to exceptionally high expectations. “We’re not one of the best teams in the league,” he declared. “We have to say and think that clearly. But [in] our past, our club is maybe the best one in the league. So here we have a problem. We have to focus on the little details, then we will improve as a team.” Upon assuming his position, Amorim expressed his desire for his players to demonstrate strong work ethic. In recent years, United’s squad has frequently been criticized for a perceived lack of effort, amidst a tumultuous period characterized by numerous managerial changes. The current challenge lies in the demanding fixture schedule. Amorim has overseen 11 matches in his initial 37 days at United, in contrast to his former club Sporting, which played seven games during the identical timeframe. This intensive schedule, he noted, impedes the development of player fitness, a prerequisite for the team to become competitive once more. Amorim stated, “If we want to win the Premier League, we have to run like mad dogs. Even with the best starting XI on the planet, without running they will win nothing.” Amorim has instructed his players to prioritize acknowledging United supporters following losses rather than wins. This directive comes after striker Marcus Rashford drew criticism for exiting the pitch ahead of his teammates subsequent to the defeat at Emirates Stadium. When questioned about the event, Amorim, without explicitly mentioning Rashford, emphasized the significance of recognizing the fans who have supported the team. He affirmed, “We have to do it. Especially when we lose. Everyone has to do it. It has to be like that.” Additionally, Amorim addressed the eleventh-hour choice made prior to last weekend’s win against Everton, where the team opted not to wear rainbow tracksuits for their entrance onto the field. This gesture was intended to be United’s participation in the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign, signifying solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. Nevertheless, Moroccan defender Noussair Mazraoui declined to wear the attire, citing religious reasons. This situation recalls a previous instance where United players wore poppy shirts during the Remembrance period, which midfielder Nemanja Matic refused due to his village in Serbia being attacked by Nato forces during the Balkan conflict. In the current circumstance, United’s players collectively decided against isolating Mazraoui. Amorim, who disclosed his non-involvement in the decision-making process, commented, “There’s three difficult things to manage. On one side, it’s club values. But then you have religion and it’s our values to respect other opinions. And the third thing is the group. I won’t leave Nous alone, we’re a team.” He continued, “The majority of the players believe in one thing but they saw one guy alone and said: Let’s be together. It’s a hard issue to address. There’s no doubt what this club believes and fights for. We need to respect everything – but we also need to respect the religion of Nous and his culture.”