Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim attended the pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Manchester City.
On Cunha, Mount, and Dalot
“They will be out for this game, and I don’t know how long it will be. We need these players to build a competitive team.
We have very good players who are eager to play, so we will be competitive on Sunday. But they are unavailable.”
Q: How long will they be sidelined?
“I don’t want to say. If you talk to Cunha privately, he’ll say he can play in this game. They’ve worked really hard, but we don’t want to take any risks.”
On Manchester City
“They are a top team with the best coach in the league—a team where it’s hard to predict how they will play.
We are prepared and believe in our squad. This will be a very exciting game; we know what to do, and we’ve put in extra training. The current league table (with United above City) doesn’t matter right now.”
Q: Since winning at City’s home ground earlier, do you think United has improved?
“I think we are a better team. If you look at any aspect of the data, we are a better team. We are ready for the game, but we need to show that on Monday.”
On Lammens
“We are very happy with him; he is a goalkeeper with great potential. Right now, we need both strong ability and rich experience at the goalkeeper position, but we also have to focus on the present and look to the future—so both are indispensable. He will be ready.”
Q: Why sign Lammens?
“As a club, sometimes you try different options, one after another. We have an option that brings us something different, but also has great potential—someone we can rely on consistently in the coming years.”
Q: So who will start this weekend?
“Different leagues, different countries, different football. They will compete for the starting goalkeeper spot. As for this game, it’s clear that Altay (Bayindir) will start. He’s ready to play, and he will be on the pitch.”
Q: So you have confidence in Bayindir?
“I sometimes think about talking to André (Onana). André Onana had a very good season in England; he definitely has the ability, but at the club, situations can sometimes get increasingly tough.
This club has a lot of pressure, every detail matters, and sometimes you need to make a change. I believe in Altay, and he’s ready to play.”
On the Record of Having a Youth Academy Player Get a Chance Every Year Since 1937
“We want to keep this record; I don’t want to be the one who breaks it. If you look back at United’s history, you’ll understand that this should be our goal for the future—so we definitely need to work hard to maintain it.”
Q: Have you spoken to your former Sporting CP partner Viana (current City director)?
“We have different jobs and play for different clubs. We don’t talk about football. I’m red, he’s blue, but we are true close friends—and that will never change.”
On Onana
“Onana might stay, but I think as a club, we understand that he needs a change. Sometimes it’s hard to explain the reasons; his performances, the situation at the time, and bad luck at certain moments have all made it difficult for him.
We originally thought about changing the goalkeeper, but I wish André Onana all the best. He is very hardworking and can help his teammates. But sometimes you need a change of environment.”
