Ruben Amorim says Victor Lindelof has returned to training ahead of Manchester United’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest tomorrow, but will not be available.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, the head coach said “Jonny [Evans] is still not training. Victor [Lindelof] returned to training but not available. Maybe the next game.”
He also confirmed that Kobbie Mainoo and Lisandro Martinez will return to the squad tomorrow after serving suspensions.
Amorim also spoke of the sad passing of 55-year veteran of the club staff, Kath Phipps, saying:
“We feel it today. It is a sad day. I met her seven years ago, she was the lady behind reception. You feel the love for her. She is an important person who represents this club; friendly, professional, taking care of everyone.”
On United’s league position, he said:
“It’s sad because it’s a very competitive league, it can change with just one result. We have to pass this phase, so i feel the same way, because before the Arsenal game you guys were asking about the top four and now we return to this position (13th). We have to remain calm and keep on doing the job we’re doing.
“We have to manage expectations and when you have a bad result, you have to keep calm. That is clear, in one week you have three games that can change the perception of the team and the table.
“We need to have consistency in how we focus on the job in training. You don’t control the result but you feel you have to win three matches to see a big gap in the table.”
Asked if he is beginning to know what is his best team, he said:
“More or less, yes, we have an idea, but then we have players returning and we have to manage the load. Bruno Fernandes, you feel it against Arsenal he was tired in the end, but you know he will recover in the end.
“If you talk about Manuel [Ugarte], I’ve known him for a long time and he needs a little bit more time.”
The next question was in relation to lessons that may have been learned from the defeat to Arsenal on Wednesday.
“It’s really hard, I learn the same with wins because I focus on the performance;” he said.
“We won 4-0 against Everton but I saw so many things that were wrong. I saw the same against Arsenal. We need time to think about things. We don’t have much time to train and have to prepare for the next opponent, but when I see the team, I think we’re improving in some aspects.
On showing the fans that the team is making an effort, Amorim said:
“I think that is a key point for us. In two weeks and four matches, you can understand that they just want to see effort. In the first moment, they just want to see effort. Then they want to win games.
“After a while, in winning games, they will want to see a very dominant team and then these are the stages we have to follow. This one is the easy one, full effort. Full sprint back and full sprint forward. That is a key point for us, so a lot of our focus is on that.
“I trust in every one of them. What I’m understanding in the training and games is each position played better. What kind of situation is better for one guy or another? These things I need to be close to them, and see the games in the dug-out, as you guys say, not just on TV.
“So I’m learning and we as a staff are learning really fast about what they’re able to do and what they can’t do.”
The embargoed section of the press conference will be available here on The Peoples Person from 10.30pm tonight.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
