Ruben Amorim - Manchester United Head Coach

Great performance, but I think its still to early to say whether todays result was a one off, like city away, or whether we have turned the corner.

We need to consistently beat mid table/ lower table fodder before we can say we are out of the woods.
 
They’ve not won since November, they’re average as feck
They draw too many games, but rarely lose.

They're a bit like their time under Potter. Win a lot of games on xG. Really suffering since Welbeck got injured.

They also have an amazing recent record vs us. 5 wins, 1 draw (lost on penalties) and 1 defeat from their last 7 games.
 
They’ve not won since November, they’re average as feck

They are absolutely not average. They are struggling without a striker to score. But their general play is still excellent. Both pressing and against pressing.
 
We need an LWB so Dalot and Amad can share the RWB duties and Maz never plays at wingback.

He’s not a wingback at all, never has been. At Dalot’s worst, he had the stamina and the discipline to keep width and knew how to make the right runs and to find space, but he was wasteful.

Mazraoui has none of the basics needed for the position. It’s so evident to me, but most people are hyperfixated on Dalot. Our right side has been dead every time Mazraoui plays there, and for the most part, that was true today too. Probably the worst part about him at RWB is that he fails to stretch the back four in a way that gives Amad space. He tucks in too much and almost tries to play like a midfielder. Amad is starved for space. Compare that with Dalot’s positioning and runs that create a lot of space for Bruno. That’s why whenever the CBs look up, they end up playing the ball to the left.

Very good post, agreed.
 
They didnt show up for him. They showed up because it was Liverpool.

Regardless, we looked like we had a good game plan today. Didn't look like we were going to get spanked at anytime in the game.
You could be right, and that's why my second part in my post says Amorim should not allow them to revert to type.
 
So happy today, didn’t get the win but first time where I feel like we have a manager who can go toe to toe tactically. Don’t think we will be as good v smaller sides but have faith he will eventually make further tweaks.
Dont agree. He has shown to be ruthless with the smaller sides. 70 pct of the times Sporting got an early goal, they ended up crushing the opponent (3+ gd). Slowing down out of sloppyness really puts him off. Soon we will see i guess.
 
Today proved why he is the man and should be backed. That was the most exciting and competitive match by us at Anfieild since the Fergie days. Brought back Fergie era memories.

Imagine if we had a top class striker today, we would have won!

Imagine what he can do with players having this application week in week out! Some will have to be bought, some existing may be able to do it also.

Great effort by the lads and Ruben!
Doing the double on them in successive years with Van Gaal was better, but still nice to not get mullered today.

December 14th 2014
Manchester United 3-0 Liverpool
Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata, Robin van Persie

March 22nd 2015
Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United
Juan Mata x 2

September 12th 2015
Manchester United 3-1 Liverpool
Daley Blind, Ander Herrera, Anthony Martial.

January 17th 2016
Liverpool 0-1 Manchester United
Wayne Rooney
 
True and that mainly down to Mainoo not quite being fit I think.

But you can't put that performance in today with Casemiro, Eriksen and Zirkzee on the pitch. Doesn't matter how much they try, they can't physically do it.
Disagree, yes, Eriksen, Cas and Zee aren't very physical, but they and everyone on pitch vs Newcastle didn't try at all, and today they showed up, for me it always has been a collective issue, last night everyone was on it, everyone including the subs, even Zee was tusling and pressing and all, and then vs Newcastle, it wasn't everyone, to be exact none was on it, and you can see the difference, this is why Amorim is very upset despite the great performance, because he feels these players don't always give their all.
 
Wait, am I reading this correctly that its the first full week of training the team has had under Amorim?

Not to fully excuse all our performances but that just seems an obvious and massive disadvantage. Makes a day like today that much more standout impressive
 
Wait, am I reading this correctly that its the first full week of training the team has had under Amorim?

Not to fully excuse all our performances but that just seems an obvious and massive disadvantage. Makes a day like today that much more standout impressive
Yea he’s had very little time off the pitch for training which is surprising g that he’s been here 2 months. I have full belief that if Utd back him we will have success.
 
Much better but I've been burned by too many false dawns. We need to bring this same intensity against Southampton, Brighton and Fulham. Win these three games and we can put any lingering fears of relegation behind us.

Following United is a bit like life in that sense.
 
Much better but I've been burned by too many false dawns. We need to bring this same intensity against Southampton, Brighton and Fulham. Win these three games and we can put any lingering fears of relegation behind us.
No turned corners, no dawns-false or otherwise. It wasn’t anything like that. It wasn’t even a step forwards on a long road back, all it was for me was a reminder of how we can/should play and just to show we have the quality to forget about relegation IF the players apply themselves correctly in every game. If that was ever a real concern (for me it wasn’t) then I think it has to be put to bed now. Look forwards!
 
It's pretty clear to see. Against City and Liverpool the players were mostly up for it so the performance and results were good. Then you played worse opponents at home and blew it. It's consistency/motivation issue. Under normal circumstances, the same team would have lost against Pool and City.
 
Wait, am I reading this correctly that its the first full week of training the team has had under Amorim?

Not to fully excuse all our performances but that just seems an obvious and massive disadvantage.

It’s a weird thing. It does I agree, but also I would expect professional footballers to understand enough about the game to follow tactical instructions- whether the system is familiar or not.

Carl Anka said he spoke to a former player who said the current squad is poor in physicality, poor in technical ability but also not very bright - which seems a stinging criticism. Odd that they seemingly need to be spoonfed this stuff though when they will all have been playing since they were kids.
 
Wait, am I reading this correctly that its the first full week of training the team has had under Amorim?

Not to fully excuse all our performances but that just seems an obvious and massive disadvantage. Makes a day like today that much more standout impressive
Yet here we are with fans urging us to reach the ultimate highs of EL or Conference League every year to make sure the next season is also almost never about training stuff but about regeneration.
It’s a weird thing. It does I agree, but also I would expect professional footballers to understand enough about the game to follow tactical instructions- whether the system is familiar or not.

Carl Anka said he spoke to a former player who said the current squad is poor in physicality, poor in technical ability but also not very bright - which seems a stinging criticism. Odd that they seemingly need to be spoonfed this stuff though when they will all have been playing since they were kids.
I think, you underestimate the magnitude of the job. To give a team an organisation, a synchronization is quite a difficult thing to do I guess. Especially with a squad with many players starting almost from zero in this aspect (given how badly organized we are since years) and with mentality and physicality issues on top. The things Amorim alluded to in his latest interviews show, that some players have to learn to restrict their instincts because they have to understand not only to do the right thing in any given moment but the right thing for the team. It will take some time for our players to really understand their roles. And once thats achieved, we'll slowly collect some fruits in terms of patterns of play and raised synergies.
 
It’s a weird thing. It does I agree, but also I would expect professional footballers to understand enough about the game to follow tactical instructions- whether the system is familiar or not.

Carl Anka said he spoke to a former player who said the current squad is poor in physicality, poor in technical ability but also not very bright - which seems a stinging criticism. Odd that they seemingly need to be spoonfed this stuff though when they will all have been playing since they were kids.

I am not at all surprised that it would take time to change. It's not simple stuff I'd imagine. It has to come without thinking, automatisms. I cant imagine those are easy at this level. Things like distances, timings, press triggers etc. To do all of those at the right time without thinking....time on training ground.
 
Something has to be said about the fact that there, for the first time in his tenure, was nearly a full week in between games. Actual training sessions were able to be had with his system. They now have another full week off before Arse next week in the FA Cup. Feels like to me this is a big part of the reason why they looked so much better this week and could take even another step forward next week.

Still, though. Going to be tough without a 9 that can put the ball in the net.
 
I'd like to think that it's whatever he is doing with them in training that is finally going in, rather than them just been up for it today.

I was shocked, we were actually good.
It’s true that he’s had more time with them in training this week, but you can’t train to fight more and believe more, which they did all over the pitch. They need to carry that belief and desire into every game and they’ll be in the top 5 before the end of the season. There’s no excuse for the levels they’ve displayed in recent weeks.
 
The performance today has to give the squad the belief in themselves, in their teammates and Ruben.

If this doesn't, I don't know what will.
 
It helps that RA picked our best side today. I really hope he sticks with it now and stops making so many changes.
 
I have never seen a manager that could get such a great performance out of this bunch of players. Suddenly, every single one of them look like a top players. What has he done?

The players suddenly have all the attributes of top players. Ball control, speed and agility, stamina, work ethics, tactical awareness, game intelligent and most importantly play as a team!
 
Humpty Dumpty's team looked like they were about to lose until the penalty. Pep Guardiola is my idol. He is lucky Salah is still there.
 
I hope the players understand what it is needed week in and week out. United will not roll over and get beaten, which happened against Forest, Bournemouth, Wolves, and Newcastle. This is the minimum expectation from fans that we go toe-to-toe, whether home or away. I want more urgency to attack and create, not boring football where CBs are passing to one another. I hope Amorim gets his message across and we start the same starting five for the next game.
 
Last sleeping on it and looking at the football back. This is what I have seen now without emotions.

1. The blueprint of 343 was extremely visible yesterday.
2. The most difference which happened yesterday was how the defence was on 10 yards ahead of previous line.
3. How CB were always stepping in and pinch the ball. Martinez first goal, he himself pinched a loose ball from Trent and stayed up front and remarkably when Bruno played him a pass in Liverpool box, he was almost unmarked.
4. Dalot really had a very good game, previously he would have his body in a WRONG Turn thus he wouldn't attack space when he has ball. But yesterday his body position was elite, he was on half turn but on a forward turn. Saka style. He gave Trent a very hard time.
5 Ugarte and Mainoo are such great footballers.


But the most glaring difference yesterday was motivation. How Amorim was able to motivate the players and extract such a performance from them was good to see. Everyone applied himself well.

The team played a very risky game, and we know high risk high reward. The rewards yesterday was in belief of the system.
Now, we can agree, we have a team that can play 343. Not this nonsense of we can't compete.
Amorim has shown he can structure and motivate a team in the highest level.
Now we can rest assured, whoever doesn't play how Amorim want should leave.
We can splash money for Amorim specific needs.


Enjoy



 
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