Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has bemoaned his players’ woeful finishing in their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
United fell to a 12th loss of the season at the hands of Ange Postecoglou’s men. James Maddison’s 13th-minute strike was the difference between the two sides.
The Red Devils had a number of chances to restore parity and possibly mount a comeback but they lacked the final touch. Alejandro Garnacho was presented with United’s best goalscoring opportunity in the first half but he aimed his effort well over the bar.
Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund also had sights of goal but neither player could beat Guglielmo Vicario.
After the match, Amorim spoke to Sky Sports and had his say on the performance. He told the news outlet, “That was the big difference.”
“That was the big difference in the game. We had a lot of chances but in the end they scored one and we didn’t.”
“The first step is to create situations. We have had games where we are around the box and not created situations. This game we create situations. But in this game with two teams not doing well, one goal was always going to make the difference.”
“You start with one idea. We were asking about a long week for so long. And we worked our principles but day after day you lose players that change your approach to the game.”
“I could not play the same way with Joshua [Zirkzee] as I can with Amad.”
The 40-year-old added, “Sometimes you want Bruno [Fernandes] to reach the ball in the build up because he’s really good switching the play. But then you want Bruno also to press and it’s really hard. And when you are changing all the time to get the players to react to the base, it’s really hard.”
“4-4-2 in the low block is harder to play against this team than what we did today, that’s my opinion. They are so open and stretch the team. What you see guys and what you discuss every week, I also see. I have a lot of problems, my job is so, so hard here. But I stick with my beliefs.”
Asked about the United youngsters who were on the bench because of the club’s injury problems, Amorim remarked, “They will play during this season. We will have games in the cup and Europe and they will play. I feel it, I think everybody can feel it, we are near the goal, I don’t want to change the players when we are near it.”
“You grow and you learn a lot of things. We just need to face it and not run away, that is my feeling. Today will hurt, it is a tough pain to lose so many games, but then you can change things in a week.”
United are back in action on Saturday when they face another rival close to them in the table – David Moyes’ Everton. That game kicks off at lunchtime.
Featured image Justin Setterfield 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!
