Amorim: We just want to win

Amorim: We just want to win

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has explained his tactics in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

The Reds created little in the first half before Bruno Fernandes’s superb free-kick edged us in front going into the interval.

After opportunities to extend the lead were spurned, largely due to the impressive David Raya in the visitors’ goal, Declan Rice drew the Gunners level and, while there were chances at both ends, Fernandes was agonisingly close to winning it in stoppage time.

See a selection of what the boss had to say to the official broadcasters after the game at Old Trafford…

Ruben: The players believed the gameplan Video

Ruben: The players believed the gameplan

Ruben Amorim highlights a “very good” aspect of United’s performance against Arsenal, during his debrief with MUTV…

UNLUCKY NOT TO WIN

“If you look at the chances and then look at the game, Arsenal had more possession, but we try to play the game in a low block. So it’s hard to say that we deserve it as Arsenal also tried to win the game. But, if you look at the chances, I think we were quite close to winning the game. David Raya did really well to defend his goal and, sometimes, if the ball is 10 centimetres a little bit to the side, it can change a game. We were waiting for a mistake from the opponents, but we tried to win the game. We tried to find a way to beat a very good team and showed that today.”

THE LOW BLOCK

“Of course, when you coach Manchester United, you cannot play this too much. The idea is to win the game. You imagine one way to win the game in this context. I know it’s frustrating for the fans. Sometimes, we have to do things that are not popular. It’s also the opponent. We try to choose the best moments to press high and had some moments of winning the ball. In the future, we’re not going to play like that, but we just want to win games. I think our fans understood the moment.” 

THE GAMEPLAN

“We knew Arsenal are really good on the ball and we were tired from the last game. So we were knowing Victor Lindelof had not had many games and he did really well. So compact. Vic is really smart on the short spaces. Casemiro did really well and he didn’t have to run a lot to press high. We try to make our players comfortable. To push in the second half was the idea and it was perfect with the Bruno goal because it helped us a lot.”

BEING COMPETITIVE

“It helped when you don’t suffer a goal but you score a goal and you feel the energy in the stadium. I think we did well. In this moment, we try to win games and be compact, and we were so near [to] scoring a second goal in the end. I think we were competitive. The players were tired but pushed forward and we had some situations to win the game.” 

GOING FOR THE WIN

“I really enjoy it because it’s not just that we focus on the result, in this moment. I want to see different things so I really enjoy the players wanting to win the game and not taking the point, no matter what the context. We need to win, especially at home, and that is good. I knew, if we can handle the first half of the game without suffering a goal, in the second half we can create more.”

THE BACKDROP TO THE GAME

“I think it’s clear this club will never die. That is clear. You feel it in the streets, not just the stadium. It is a difficult situation. The fans protest outside but, inside, they are amazing. The fans support me and I was not expecting that. Sometimes, it’s a little bit embarrassing but they just want to see a team fight and we are fighting. In the last games, we have showed real character and that is all we need for these fans to support us.”

Ruben’s post-match press conference Video

Ruben’s post-match press conference

PRESS CONFERENCE | Amorim discusses a low-block style, facing rivals, and a key man’s role after the draw v Arsenal…

HEAVEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE DEBUT

“I think he played really well. He’s really comfortable with the ball, sometimes more than he should be! He is so relaxed and that is a good thing. He’s very aggressive. I think we have a very good player.”

THE SUPER SKIPPER

“He [Bruno Fernandes] proves it every game. He’s here to help the club, that’s the most important thing. Sometimes, he has moments when he’s so frustrated that he shows that. He wants to win more than anything. He’s always there. We played Fulham and he ran 16 kilometres. He plays all the games and is always available. Yes, sometimes his frustration hurts him and people don’t understand. He is suffering for every result we have. I think he is a very good captain and we are really happy with him.”

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