Rúben Amorim, manager of Manchester United, attended the post-match press conference following the team's 0-3 heavy defeat to Manchester City.
Reporter: What lessons do you think you can learn from a game like this, and is there any positive takeaway?
Amorim: If you look at the goals we conceded—for the first one, almost all Manchester United players were not pressing high; we were all in a low block, right? We clearly could have done better.
For the second goal, we were in a transition and pressing phase, trying to win back possession. But our high press led to the opponent creating two 1v1 situations in local areas, and that eventually turned into a defensive error resulting in a goal. I think we should have closed down the spaces to prevent them from easily penetrating the box.
Then there was the last goal—Erling Haaland was given so much space directly, which is really puzzling.
So these are the key issues of this game: they took their chances, while we failed to take ours in attack—like Bryan Mbeumo's shot. That's how the gap emerged.
Reporter: You have 8 wins in 31 Premier League games since taking charge—um, how do you view the team's performance, and are opponents treating you like an easy target?
Amorim: Guys, I… * (he and the reporter started talking at the same time, inaudible)… I get it, I get it, I get all of you, I understand what you're trying to say. This is a record that shouldn't be set at Manchester United.
But what I want to say is, over the past few months, a lot of things you couldn't even imagine have happened, and I've had to accept them. But I won't change. If I want to adjust my footballing philosophy, I will take the initiative to do so. If I don't want to change, then either you replace me.
We will discuss every lost game, but I don't believe there's a problem with my system. If I wanted to change my system, I would—but not right now.
Can you understand that? The fans just can't see… can't see…
(Amorim interrupted again): I get it, I understand what you're trying to say, I understand what you want to convey.That's normal, that's normal, I know. The way I see it is: we (Manchester United) have indeed made progress, but the results haven't reflected that progress. That's just the way it is.
I remember last year, when I was at my former club (Sporting CP), we beat Manchester City 4-1. Back then, there were many moments when Sporting CP's performance wasn't necessarily better than City's.
It's just that—yes, I understand this situation. This is all what the data will show: if you lose, that's how it is.
Reporter: What do you want to say to the fans?
Amorim: The message I want to give them is that I will do my utmost. I will give everything. I will do all I can, and I will dedicate everything to Manchester United—that's what I will always stand by.I really want to win,
believe me. I'm suffering more than they are. The rest is not up to me to decide.
Reporter: I know you, Ruben, have been looking for a solid partner for the number 6 role. My question is: have you ever considered not starting Bruno Fernandes? What I mean is, you've moved him to a position he's not comfortable playing in, and he's accepted it—but does this further exacerbate Manchester United's already complicated and intractable team situation?
Amorim: Then let me ask you—let's frame this in a different context to answer your question. Do you think we were the better team in the game we lost to Arsenal?
(Amorim mumbled, inaudible)
Amorim: Then let me ask you again—are Martin Ødegaard, Declan Rice, and Suwemendi three top-tier midfielders?
Reporter: Yes.
Amorim: We used a double pivot to compete against their three-man midfield, didn't we? We started with Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, didn't we?
Sometimes it's about the team's various forms and circumstances; sometimes it's just simply that you fail to score!
I know the fans don't want to hear this from me at all, but I'm really presenting what I see in an objective way. I know the records, I know what the fans think, but I have no choice but to state the facts! I won't deceive myself!
I know what you're discussing—who to pick for the double pivot, whether it should be Kobbie Mainoo. I see everything. But when I look at how the games play out, we are using this kind of double pivot, and that's the same as any other approach.
(Amorim commented): The last question is too trivial.
Amorim: Wasn't I having Bruno make forward runs to link up with Benjamin Šeško for the ball today? Every game, I'm trying different things. If it doesn't work out, you just get criticized—that's how it goes.
