Amorim: Mistakes cost us at Newcastle

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has attributed his side’s 4-1 defeat at Newcastle to a series of costly errors that ultimately put the contest beyond our reach.

The Reds had several encouraging spells of possession at St James’ Park and hit back through Alejandro Garnacho after Sandro Tonali’s first-half opener but were undone after the break by three further goals, as the hosts – who were better and stronger than us according to Amorim – capitalised on several United mistakes to make their authority pay.

Ruben believes that the Magpies’ second goal, netted by Harvey Barnes just four minutes into the second period, was particularly hurtful to our chances of securing a positive result, before Barnes and Bruno Guimaraes went on to widen the gap on the scoreline.

The boss is now keen to turn attentions to Thursday’s huge Europa League quarter-final second leg against Lyon at Old Trafford, although it’s a game that he expects to be without Joshua Zirkzee for, after the Dutchman left the pitch in the second half on Sunday with an injury.

Amorim gave an update on Zirkzee while conducting his post-match media duties in the North East, which you can read a round-up of the key quotes from below…

Amorim rues mistakes at Newcastle Video

Amorim rues mistakes at Newcastle

INTERVIEW | Ruben reflects on Sunday’s match before switching focus to a huge European night…

WE MADE A LOT OF MISTAKES

“We did a lot of mistakes and they were better than us, stronger than us. Suffering the second goal in the beginning of the second half hurt us a lot and then we did mistakes during the game that helped Newcastle to win the game.”

ERRORS NOT DOWN TO INDIVIDUALS

“It’s a team thing [and not about individuals]. We are doing a lot of mistakes in certain games that give confidence to the opponent, give goals, and then it’s hard to cope with everything. We had the first chance, we didn’t score, [then] they have their chance, they score. Then they took control of the game. We scored to draw but then second half, we were suffering in the second play of the game, it’s hard for our team and we did a lot of mistakes.”

ZIRKZEE EXPECTED 

“We had to make rotation because we are trying to recover in two days from each game but trying to win this game also. Josh, I think he will be out for some games. So, let’s focus on the next one.”

WE’LL TURN FOCUS TO LYON NOW

“We have to start tomorrow [to recover for Thursday]. We cannot change this game, this performance, this [Premier League] season. We just need to think of the future, we have one competition that we can win a trophy [in] and go to the Champions League next season.”

HOW WE’LL BOUNCE BACK ON THURSDAY

“The good thing this season is we have been through a lot so we know how these moments are really difficult, but we proved already, not to other people, but to ourselves that we can get up and fight again. So, we have to do that on Thursday.”

ONANA OR BAYINDIR TO START?

“We are going to prepare to choose the best XI that we think can win. I left him [Onana] at home [today] because any situation of the game, the cameras would be on him and he was not playing, he [would be] on the bench but feeling the pressure, feeling the moment. So, for me, it was one thing or another – you play or you stay at home. It was my choice.”

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