Amorim issues passionate “kill” plea to his players regarding his job, after win vs. Sunderland

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has called on his players to fight for everything and “kill” in transition to show their support for him.

United beat Sunderland

United got a much-needed win on Saturday as they beat Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford. Heading into the game, the pressure was on Amorim amidst the club’s woeful start to the campaign.

There was speculation over his job and suggestions that if United lost, the Portuguese coach could potentially be fired.

However, goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko in the first half sealed the win for United and may have given Amorim some breathing space.

United looked much improved against Sunderland compared to recent games, and in his post-match press conference, Amorim urged his players to prove their support for him through their performances rather than just words in the media.

Amorim’s post-match remarks

The United head coach remarked, “A clean sheet is really important. We didn’t play well the whole game but we had our moments. But if you look at the performance, it was a team. Focus, defending well, and trying to kill the game in the second half. I’m pleased with that that and now it’s to move forward to the next one.”

On Senne Lammens, Amorim said, “He looks confident in the first game. But the important thing is that the teammates helped Senne to have a good game, because everyone was focused. Not a lot of mistakes against a team that was really comfortable playing football. We did well and it was a good day for us.”

Asked why he delayed Lammens’ debut, Amorim explained, “When Senne arrived here, first of all, Altay [Bayindir] was playing and then he arrives, and you can feel that he needs time to adapt. New country, new training and the pressure that you guys put on the goalkeepers is massive. It was a little preparation for the guy to be ready to start this first game.”

“But now, it’s just one game and he needs to work because he needs to be prepared that in our club, things are really hard. He did well. He was very comfortable during the game and that is a very good sign.”

On whether the international break has come at a bad time for United, Amorim stressed that it doesn’t matter much for United, given their inability to show consistent form. He highlighted the contrast between the team’s impressive first half and the less convincing second half as an example of the team’s inconsistency, which he labelled a “big frustration.”

Asked about Mount, Amorim told reporters, “I think Mason Mount can give us…he’s more a midfielder than a winger or a striker. He can defend really well. He’s really smart. He can attack really well. Today he had a number of minutes because we have to manage when a guy like Mason is returning from injury.”

“He did really well. So it’s the characteristics that we are going to change when we look to every opponent.”

On the players being firmly behind him, Amorim said, “I know they want to do the best and they don’t want to change the coach all the time.”

“But like I said this week, to be with the manager, I will kill myself in every transition. We need to show with the actions and sometimes when we look at our team, I know for sure that when we see the games, in the end, they know that sometimes we can do better. I feel that during the week but we need to show that on the pitch. Not just at home but also away.”

Amorim praised Sesko’s “different profile,” highlighting the Slovenian’s aerial strength as well as his goalscoring ability.

The United head coach added that Sesko can become even better than he currently is.

Amorim also praised Amad, who returned to the team after missing last weekend’s meeting with Brentford due to a personal bereavement. He noted that Amad is “massive for the club.

United are back in action on October 19, after the international break, when they go away to Anfield to face Liverpool.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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