While on-pitch results continue to be dire for Manchester United, Ruben Amorim has put up a brave face ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game against Arsenal by claiming there have been a lot of small improvements which bode well for the future.
Speaking to Premier League Productions (via the official website), the Portuguese tactician revealed that both Joshua Zirkzee and Bruno Fernandes are among the most improved players since his arrival.
He also claimed that the centre-backs are also coming to grips with how to operate in his 3-4-3 system which has pleased him a lot.
Leny Yoro carrying the ball into midfield is a prime example of what Amorim wants to see from his backline. Also, the way the team remained positive despite going down to 10 men against Ipswich Town to eventually claim the win was another point he raised.
Amorim sees improvement
“In the small things in our game, I see improvement. It’s hard to see but I see it. I think we are improving in the last two games, for example, the way we have possession. Our central defenders are playing in a different way, more confident.
“And, if they play well, our team will play better. I think some players are improving individually. Josh, I think is improving, in changing, a little bit, the position.
“We are trying to find a better space for Bruno but sometimes you want him, yes, everywhere as he’s really important for us. Even against Ipswich, we suffered a goal and we continued to play the same way and I feel, in these small details, I feel that the team believes a little bit more.
“The rest, I think, it’s hard to see things in this season. It’s more here in Carrington, the way we are training, the intensity, and we are trying to find a way to improve the team.”
But these small changes are certainly not having a positive impact on the results with the Red Devils losing 10 out of 25 since the former Sporting boss took charge.
And the 40-year-old admitted that he is not too happy with how the matches have panned out but he is building a solid base ahead of next season.
Bodes well ahead of next season
“In terms of the results, it’s bad. Also the performances are not improving a lot, to be honest. But the good thing is that we are learning a lot. We are changing a lot of things but you cannot see it. Here in Carrington, the way we want to do things. I’m understanding the players and doing, in my head, what is the future of the squad.
“And that can be really important next year, but there is also a risk, when you are planning and doing and thinking to the future, you have to pay attention to the present. And the present is really hard in the moment because the results and the performances are not there.”
Whether he is thinking too far ahead remains to be seen. There have been rumours that he might be ready to quit in the summer while he has made it clear to his inner circle that he should not have joined mid-season.
Hopefully, these small changes will be in effect against the Gunners and Real Sociedad in the second leg with fans desperate for some quality.
Feature image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
