Key quotes from Ruben’s press conference

Ruben Amorim conducted his first press conference of the new season, in Chicago, ahead of our first Premier League Summer Series game against West Ham United.

United take on the Hammers in New Jersey on Saturday night (kick-off 00:00 BST, Sunday in the UK) and, ahead of the match, Amorim spoke with the media for the first time since the end of last season.

There were questions on England internationals Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo, plus captain Bruno Fernandes’s likely position in the XI.

Reporters were also keen to ask about the players who are training back at Carrington, and Amorim said they had been given “time to think” about their futures.

WORLD-CLASS SHAW

“I think Luke Shaw is a world-class player. That is my feeling – when he touches the ball, the ability to play one against one. England had two finals and he’s always there – that means something. He needs to be fit, he needs to train always within the limit. He’s doing that in the moment and he’s a great player but he has competition this season.”

TEAM BONDING

“The best teams in the world, you feel the bond between players and feel it’s important. We need to remind ourselves how special it is to be Manchester United. I really like that feeling, to be in a group that is healthy. We are going to suffer, we have problems but that feeling of bonding from everybody – staff, players – is really important. I think it can help us to win games where we’re not performing so well.”

PLAYERS NOT IN THE SQUAD 

“Well, I think that is not the case [that their value could decrease] because there are different reasons for the players. Some players have to find a new place to have more space in the team and others clearly show they want a new challenge and want new teams. We are just allowing these players to have time to think and to decide. If we reach a point where they have to join the team, they will join the team because they are our players.

“I know for a fact that these people, Omar [Berrada] and Jason [Wilcox] and the club have a number for these players. If they don’t reach that, they will be Manchester United players, no doubt about that.

“I understand clubs are maybe waiting for the last minute, but they can have a surprise and I’m ready. I’m ready to receive the players. They have more competition – if you want to play in the World Cup this year, you need to play, so I’m really happy with that because I have more options. If they have to fight each other to play, for me it is perfect.” 

BRUNO’S POSITION

“He can be [in deeper midfield]. We can change in game but I think sometimes we miss Bruno when he’s playing as a no.10. I think it’s a good position for him. I really like when Bruno has the ball and if you have the threat of Bryan, Rasmus, Matheus in the space, if you have a player with the quality of Bruno without pressure on the ball, it gives us quality.”

MAINOO’S POTENTIAL

“I think he can play in both positions in the midfield. Last year, he played more in front. I think his perfect position is more near the ball, always with the ball. I think he’s a big talent and you guys know that better than me, that he is a big talent. I think he needs to increase the rhythm, the pace. I’m always on top of that with Kobbie because he’s so good sometimes, but he can be better. So I have big plans but, like I said, it’s one game per week and the competition is going to be huge. Everybody has to be prepared to play one game or play all the games. That is the key point in our season.”

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