Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim admitted he was “really, really angry” that his players were unable to produce the performance they did at Liverpool.
The Red Devils put in a confident and confident performance at Anfield and earned a deserved point from their bitter rivals – Bruno Fernandes led by example and put in a good performance in midfield.
United fielded Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield and the pair put in arguably their best performances of the season, complementing the performance of Fernandes, who showed greater maturity on the ball and far better decision-making.
Harry Maguire could have won the game for United at the crucial moment, but he spooned Joshua Zirkzee’s curled cutback over Alisson’s crossbar.
In conversation with Sky Sports After the game, Amorim admitted that he was happy with United’s performance, but was more annoyed by the fact that his team had put in a string of sub-par performances since he took over.
“I get angrier because of the other games, so it’s even harder to understand some things,” Amorim reflected. “It’s not about a system, the technique, it’s about something else and it’s difficult for the coach to understand.”
“It’s a point and I think we should be even more angry and disappointed than we were against Newcastle. We must be really disappointed and I need to calm down and say the right things. We are in a difficult moment. When we play.” Against Liverpool we will do that every day, but we have to do it against every opponent. We have to fight really hard to get out of this situation.
“The way we were really competitive is what’s important going forward. I’m happy with the performance, not happy with the result, but really, really angry about the other games.”
United’s strength of character has been questioned on several occasions – Amorim himself admitted before the game that his players were “scared” at times – and the Portuguese added to that BBC Match of the Day that his team has shown what they are capable of when they are active and give their best.
“That should be a big problem for our players, that even one person thinks they have the skills but not the character. We have to fight against that and change that,” he said. “I think it’s really clear. When we are focused, when we fight for every ball, when we suffer and are tired when the game is over, we are a good team.”
“If we don’t do that all the time, we’re going to lose games. That’s clear to everyone.”