Skip to Main NavigationSkip to content
Friday 16 May 2025 23:12
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim addressed journalists after Friday night’s 1-0 Premier League defeat at Chelsea.
The boss provided the latest team news, after a nearly full-strength United side took on the Blues despite next week’s UEFA Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur, who chose to rest many of their key players in defeat at Aston Villa on the same evening.
Amorim also answered questions on the disappointing league points tally and the performances of Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho.
Read every word from Ruben’s press conference below…
I know you said you were happy with the level of competitiveness, but that’s 18 league defeats now. The second most after the relegated season [1973/74]. How can you reconcile with that? Do you have a different opinion on this occasion?
“We have full acknowledgement of that. We’ve already talked about that. Nothing is going to change this season. The best way to is to prepare for the final, try to win a trophy this season and prepare for the next one. So, we know that we are in a season where we’ve struggled a lot. We cannot do nothing about that. That is in the past. We need to look at the present, the present is to prepare for the final and then to prepare for next season.”
After the goal, Bruno [Fernandes] and [Harry] Maguire looked unhappy with [Alejandro] Garnacho for his defending. Did the timing of the substitutions cause a problem?
“Casemiro and Mason Mount just came off, and also Luke Shaw, to protect them for the final. The thinking was the final, because, again, we need to make a choice. Them [Fernandes and Maguire] fighting for when we suffer a goal, I think that is a good thing. So, good signs.”
Ruben, are you happy with [Rasmus] Hojlund’s performance, or does that give you a conundrum for the final?
“I’m happy. All the team has to improve but the way he runs, he fights for every ball, he loses a lot of duels, wins some duels, he needs to improve the connection but he is improving, so I’m really happy with him. He just needs to continue to work hard and better days will come.”
Are you happy with the way you’ve managed the squad, because you played a pretty strong team?
“Yes. First of all, because of the feeling. I didn’t like the feeling after the last game. Then we have five days to prepare, two days to fully recover, with some video [analysis], two days to prepare for the game and one day to compete. If I put some players out, the last game I already put some players out, so it would be like 10 days without a game. I don’t like that. I think the best way to prepare for a final, when you have time to fully recover and prepare for the next game, is just to compete, and we are Manchester United so we need to compete in every game.”
Can I just check why you subbed Bruno at the end there? It’s rare to see you take him off, was it thinking about the final?
“It was everything. I just wanted a different player there, and of course thinking about the final.”
Ruben, last time we spoke, you said you hadn’t decided on your starting XI for the final yet. Has that changed, with some of the information from this game?
“Of course we take information. But then we have to see that it [the final] is a different opponent, a different context and sometimes it’s different to start a game or come off from the bench. So, of course, I took some informations, but it’s not clear yet what kind of XI I will start in the final.”
Can I just check that everyone is okay, we saw Amad possibly with a small issue at the end?
“Yes. What I saw in the dressing room, I think everybody’s fit and ready to go.”
Recommended:
Friday 16 May 2025 23:12
Back to Top
