Ruben Amorim has called on Manchester United’s leadership group to help prevent other first-team players from being “fearful” on the pitch.
The former Sporting CP coach has lost six of his first 11 games in all competitions since replacing Erik ten Hag, including five defeats in United’s last six Premier League games.
As a result, United are only 14th in the Premier League table and many are beginning to question whether or not the club is actually embroiled in a relegation battle.
Liverpool’s journey to leaders and bitter rivals presents United with one of the toughest tests they have faced this season and Amorim admits his players need to improve their mentality if they are to turn things around.
“They are sometimes afraid on the pitch,” Amorim told reporters. “We have to deal with that. We need leaders to help others – and I am the person with the greatest responsibility to improve performance. You can see that the players are trying. Sometimes they are too scared and afraid to play football because this is a difficult moment.
“Of course, if it’s you [losing] There is a lot of pressure. It’s hard to cope with all the problems, the poor performances and the losses, it’s really hard. It’s supposed to be really hard.
“The only thing that can help me is training with the players and I have my family here now too so it’s so much different, it can help me.”
Amorim also admitted relegation was a “possibility” but insisted: “I’m not thinking about it, I just want to look at the next game. I just think it’s really, really important to be really clear with the players and the fans.”
United last tasted victory at Anfield in 2016, when Wayne Rooney’s 78th-minute winner was enough to give Louis van Gaal victory over a Liverpool side that featured Simon Mignolet in goal as well as Nathaniel Clyne, Mamadou Sakho, Emre Can and Alberto Moreno had over the backline.