Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has insisted that his players “spoke for him really loud” during their defeat to Grimsby Town on Wednesday evening.
United beaten by Grimsby
United have been dumped out of the EFL Cup by League Two outfit Grimsby, who beat them on penalties at Blundell Park.
Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren both scored in the opening 45 minutes to give the hosts a commanding lead. Summer signing Bryan Mbeumo pulled one back with 15 minutes to go before Harry Maguire headed home a late equaliser, neccesitating a penalty shootout.
However, the Red Devils eventually lost, with Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo missing from the spot-kick in what was a mammoth shootout.
After a shaky start to the Premier League campaign, marked by a defeat to Arsenal and a disappointing draw with Fulham last weekend, pressure on Amorim has only grown following this latest dismal display against Grimsby.
In an interview with Sky Sports, the Portuguese coach hinted at his position, stating that his players had “spoken for him.”
Amorim’s post-match remarks
Amorim said [as quoted by BBC], “In the end, it doesn’t matter if we recover or not, it’s the signs the team gave during the game, the beginning of the game.”
“I think the best team won, the only team that was on the pitch. The best players lose because one team can win against any group of players, and I think the team and the players spoke really loud today, so that’s it.”
“We lost, the best team won.”
Asked to clarify that, Amorim explained, “I think it’s really clear what they spoke, so let’s move on from this day and I think it was clear for everybody what happened today.”
“The way we start the game without any intensity, all the idea of the pressure, we were completely lost and that’s why I think they spoke really loud.”
On whether United are making the same mistakes from last season, he added, “I think that is the problem. When you lose but see something new, it’s different. When you see something like today, it’s hard to talk about that. I just want to say I’m really sorry for the fans.”
“The support they gave me, the support that with all the support they help the team. I have nothing to say. I’m really sorry.”
On how he can solve the issues plaguing the team, Amorim remarked, “I think they gave the response on the pitch today, so I don’t need total about that. We have a game at the weekend, then we have two weeks and we will solve things out.”
Andre Onana was culpable for both goals United conceded in the first half. It’s clear that United have a big problem with their goalkeeper alternatives. When this was put to Amorim, he said, “With all due respect, when you lose to a fourth division team, it’s not the goalkeeper. It’s everything. It’s the environment, it’s the way we face the competition.”
“We know that we are in the moment everything people will pay attention to everything. It’s going to be massive every detail. We show the performance today, so my players spoke, for me, really loud.”
United are back in action on Saturday when they welcome Burnley to Old Trafford.
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
