Read Ruben’s Newcastle press conference

English football’s festive period is famously unforgiving and, in the wake of United’s third consecutive defeat, at Wolves, Ruben Amorim was straight into the pre-match press conference for our next fixture against Newcastle.

We host the Magpies at Old Trafford on Monday, in just three days, where Amorim will attempt to inspire a positive result.

It’s a testing time for players, staff and fans alike, something Ruben was keen to acknowledge in a press conference where he also discussed our set-piece frailties and who might replace the suspended Bruno Fernandes as captain.

Read on for every word from our new head coach, as we start the build-up to a really important meeting with Eddie Howe’s side next week…

When Omar Berrada went to speak to you, you said in Portugal that your first reaction was to say: ‘Can we do this in the summer?’ And it was: ‘No, you have to go now.’ When you said that, was what is happening now at the back of your mind and how difficult it would be?

“There is no point to talk or think about that. I am here and I have to focus on the job, it is part of football to have these difficult moments and I already knew this was going to be tough. Of course you expect to win more games to have players with more confidence to sell the idea and to work and to improve a lot of things. In this moment it’s really hard. Like I said, we have to survive to have time, and then improve the team.”

You talked before very openly about how big clubs have to win and they do not have endless time. It is a ruthless business – we have seen that at Man Utd with Dan Ashworth and also at Sporting with them sacking the man who took your place. Obviously, it is absurd at this moment to be talking about your future, but are you comfortable that you have the time and space in order to do the job you need to do?

“The manager of Manchester United can never, no matter what, be comfortable. I know the business that I am in. I know that if we do not win – regardless if they paid the buyout or not – I know that every manager is in danger and I like that, because that is our job. So I understand the question. You can say that I have been here a month and I have had four training [sessions], but we are not winning. So I have that; that is a reality, and I am quite comfortable with that.”

Because you are going to be without your captain, who is suspended, could you have Harry Maguire as your captain because he has been skipper before at the club? Would you consider having him as captain?

“You will have to wait until the game and see the captain.”

What do you think of Harry, now he is back and playing for you? He has had a rough couple of years?

“He works really well, he is focused on the job and not what people say. He has no excuses, even if he had some tough moments. I think in that department he is an example. He is there to play, to help the team and he’s trying to do that.”

90 in 20: Wolves v United Video

90 in 20: Wolves v United

Extended highlights of our Boxing Day clash with Wolves are now available…

You mentioned the goalkeeper in the Tottenham game and in this game. Do you think that referees are protecting the players? Or do they need to be stronger?

“After a defeat I do not want to talk about that. But you can see that every corner nowadays is an opportunity. Sometimes you forget the small guys and the talented guys and you put 11 guys on corners or to free-kicks. If you can do everything inside the box. But that is the rules and we cannot cry about it. We have to do the same thing and we have to focus on doing the same thing to the opponent. So that is my goal at the moment.”

Do you need some bigger players?

“No. What I am saying is if set-pieces is becoming so important, you can do everything. We have to learn it and we have to do the same thing even with the small guys. We just have to copy and do the same thing without trying to change the rules. We have to use the rules to score also the [same] goals at set-pieces.”

Full 90: Wolves v United Video

Full 90: Wolves v United

FULL 90 | The match replay of the Reds’ trip to Molineux is available here…

Newcastle up next. What kind of challenge are you expecting? They are a team in form at the moment? Obviously you felt the struggles against Bournemouth…

“We have to fight against everything, because our supporters are always there. But they are tired of this moment. We have to expect that any play from Newcastle near our box is going to make the stadium nervous and our players have to cope with that. It is a very strong team, very fast, with a lot of pace and a lot of time with the same coach. We want to be competitive and try to win the game. That is all.”

What do you want from the fans against Newcastle?

“Nothing. I am not even there to ask anything to our fans. They give us everything. A full stadium, always supporting, clapping after loss after loss. I just want to give something to the fans, not asking something of the fans.”

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