Ahead of Manchester United’s home Premier League clash against West Ham United, manager Rúben Amorim attended a pre-match press conference.
Luke Shaw just reached his 300th club appearance last weekend – it took him quite some time to hit this milestone. He’s been through many difficulties at the club over the years, but has started every Premier League game this season. What’s the secret to maintaining such good form? Is it due to a lighter schedule or special protection measures you’ve adopted?
We had special arrangements for him initially to help him gradually adjust his form. We must carefully control his game load and avoid excessive playing time, especially since he’s playing a completely different position now. Changing a player’s position means new requirements for the new role, which may make adaptation difficult.
But he’s performed brilliantly. Sometimes he organizes play with the ball like a full-back, yet drops deep when defending. He’s very intelligent, and I’ve always considered him a world-class player. Of course, he needs consistency like this season, and playing once a week helps too. If he needs three days to recover, we can arrange that, but it’s not necessary at the moment. It’s the result of a combination of factors – no special measures, but they were needed initially when we tried to get him more game time.
Is playing him on the flank too demanding?
Not at all. It’s just that the position has different characteristics, requiring targeted training. Before moving a player to a new position, we must let him train there, or come off the bench first to adapt, and he can switch back at any time. But he’s ready; the current tactical system may need him, and he’s fully competent.
You just emphasized the importance of set pieces, and you scored two more against Crystal Palace. On matchdays, we see you step back during set pieces while assistant coach Carlos directs from the touchline. How important is this system? Can you introduce his role?
It’s the result of team collaboration. We’ve made great progress in this area, and it has nothing to do with me – I’m even a bit dissatisfied about that. Analyst Quita is responsible for all research, the data team provides support, and Carlos studies opponents’ characteristics, analyzes our games, and identifies areas for improvement. We conduct targeted drills in training, which is normal for any team. It’s not just Carlos; the entire team is doing a lot of work. Set pieces can decide matches in the Premier League, and you’ll suffer if you don’t take them seriously. I’m very satisfied with their work.
You mentioned that playing once a week allows more training time. Has this helped with set pieces – giving Carlos more time to train, or is it a natural development?
Absolutely. More time is very helpful. Last year, when we practiced set pieces, we lacked real-game movement and could only arrange positions, but players couldn’t exert intensity while recovering from fatigue, so the effect was different. This year, we have more time to practice corners, free kicks, and simulate real-game scenarios. The more you practice, the faster you improve – it’s that simple.
The team has played 13 league games, more than a third of the season, and is currently just 1 point off fifth place, with a good chance of securing next season’s Champions League qualification. Should this be a realistic goal?
I understand the question. The standings are highly competitive, and we must give our all when playing once a week. But looking at the table, the gaps between teams are small, and the situation can change in a week. The key is not to aim too high. For us, focusing on the next game is the best strategy. Winning keeps us in the rankings – that’s the top priority. So it’s realistic; winning the next game maintains our push for Champions League qualification. I’m not sure about what comes after – let’s keep the rankings first and see how it develops.
Lisandro returned from injury and played against Crystal Palace. What does he bring on and off the pitch?
He’s part of the leadership group with high standards. Does having both Lisandro and Luke Shaw make team selection a headache?They need to compete for positions. Last year, when we were in the Europa League, I often reminded players that playing once a week is a rare opportunity. It’s disappointing to be left out, but there are only 11 starting spots, so others must compete. This isn’t a problem – on the contrary, it’s a good thing. My job is to select the best lineup. Lisandro has a strong personality and is eager to regain his form after a year out with injury. We need to manage his recovery rhythm. He feels good now, is an important player who can improve the team, and I’m very satisfied with him.
Are set pieces a key area for improvement? Your set-piece goals are equal to Arsenal’s, who are considered the best in Europe. You said you’re "learning from others" – any specific teams or coaches you’re drawing inspiration from? Will the next step be to improve defensive set pieces to the level of your attacking ones?
Our attacking set pieces are better than our defensive ones. Defense is about clearing the ball, but attacking set pieces in the Premier League don’t emphasize winning the first ball – instead, they block defenders’ challenges and seize second balls. Attacking and defensive set pieces are two different things. We learn tactics from all excellent coaches and need to adjust the lineup according to opponents’ characteristics. If we field attackers like Amad, Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, etc., but lack defensive-minded players, we’ll struggle with set pieces. Now in the Premier League, you have to consider both tactics and set pieces. We focused on set pieces in pre-season and prepare for them before every game. We suffered a lot from set pieces early in the season and have gradually learned and improved.
Zirkzee got a chance due to team injuries and scored against Crystal Palace, but Mainoo is still on the bench. You said players will consider their positions in January, especially in a World Cup year. With a dense December schedule, will Mainoo get a chance to prove himself before January?
It depends. Neither Mainoo nor Ugarte have had much game time. It’s important to clarify that Zirkzee played because of the injury crisis. That’s football – you need to be ready when opportunities come. I select players based solely on form, not reputation. As more games come, if someone gets injured, others will get opportunities. They just need to stay prepared; I’ll choose the best eleven for each game, and Mainoo is no different from other players in that regard.
