Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has revealed that he is happy with Rasmus Hojlund despite the striker’s latest poor performance in the 1-0 loss to Chelsea.
Hojlund was underwhelming at Stamford Bridge, as has largely been the case this season, and was undoubtedly the worst player on the pitch.
However, Amorim has insisted he is still happy with the Dane’s output, even going ahead to claim that the player is “improving.”
After the final whistle, Amorim spoke to reporters in his post-match press conference and gave his verdict on the result and his team’s performance.
Asked about United’s perennial losses, Amorim answered, “No, we have to acknowledge that. We already talk about that. Nothing is going to change this season. The best way 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’re struggling a lot but we cannot do anything…that is in the past. We need to look at the present. The present is to prepare for the final and then to prepare next season.”
After Chelsea’s goal went in, Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire were spotted berating Alejandro Garnacho for his poor defending.
Asked about this, Amorim said, “Casemiro, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw had just come off to protect them for the final. That was the thinking…the final because again, we need to make a choice and them fighting after we suffered a goal, I think that is a good thing. Good signs.”
On Hojlund, Amorim remarked, “I’m happy. Of course, the whole team has to improve but again, the way he runs, fights for every ball and loses a lot of duels, wins some duels…he needs to improve the connection, but he’s improving. So I’m really happy with him.”
“He just needs to continue to work hard and better days will come.”
Amorim stressed that he is happy with the way he’s managed the squad ahead of the final.
“First of all, because of the feeling. I didn’t like the feeling in the last game. Then we have five days to prepare for the game. So it’s two days to fully recover, we can see videos and improve some things. Two days to prepare for the game, then one day to compete.”
“If I put some players out the last game, I already put some players out, so it was like 10 days without a game…I don’t like that. So 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.”
On his call to withdraw Fernandes in the 80th minute, Amorim said, “It was everything. I just wanted a different player there and of course thinking about the final.”
Amorim continued, “Of course we take information but then we have to see that it’s a different opponent, a different context. Sometimes it’s different to start a game or to come off from the bench. So, of course I took some information but it’s not clear yet what kind of XI I will start in the final.”
The United head coach confirmed that everyone is fit and no one picked up an injury at Stamford Bridge.
Featured image Richard Heathcote 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!
