Ruben Amorim says he has already told some of his Manchester United players that they will have to leave the club in June.
In the embargoed section of the pre-match press conference for tomorrow’s FA Cup clash with Fulham at Old Trafford, Amorim was first asked if he thinks he is a better manager now than when he joined United.
“Better is hard to say, because I am not winning games,” he said. “But in three months here, I live certain things that I’m a more complete manager.
“Sometimes you need to lose and be in a poor situation to grow. I felt that during these three months. I am not going to die if I lose three games in a row. I learned that here. I can cope and maintain my energy. I am learning a lot about myself and the players, but I prefer to win games.”
The next question was whether the owners had been honest with him about the condition the club is in when he joined.
“I see a clear path, and I see that from the board also,” he replied. “They are also doing difficult changes.
“I knew the situation. I felt like they were honest, but I need to see things and feel things myself. Today’s really hard, but I think we’re doing things that are going to help us in the future.
He was then asked “Is there anything positive?”
“They are not popular but they are doing difficult changes, but they’re doing it because they have a vision,” he replied in regard to INEOS.
“In the future we need to show some results. You can do a lot of changes but if you don’t have results, people don’t feel confident and happy.
“The good thing is we have a clear path. Now is hard but we are doing things to achieve success in the future.”
The head coach was also asked if he feels he is ruthless enough with the players.
“It’s a balance of everything. If I see the team is trying, but they cannot do it, I’m not ruthless. I don’t like to be like that just to show strength.
“I have to feel it, because you can have two exactly the same situation, but the context is different, and I’m trying to understand everything in my team to make them better.
“But when I feel it’s something that’s going to harm the team, I can be quite ruthless.”
The reporter then pressed Amorim on the need to be ruthless at the end of the season when he may have to tell players they need to leave.
“We have a lot of games to play, but that is clear, but it is not a difficult situation because that is football, sometimes you stay and sometimes you have to move on.
“If you have to explain, for me it’s easy, and I like to do it, because I like to be clear. When you’re honest with someone, they can take it in the beginning it’s hard, but they will understand. So I’m quite honest with my players and they already know that sometimes they’ll have to move on at the end of the season.
Finally, Amorim was asked if Harry Maguire’s form is good enough for an England call-up and whether he would prefer him to be rested.
“If it’s enough that’s with the national coach.I would be really happy for him. I think he deserves it, he’s a great guy.
“I think he still needs to improve, he can improve a lot of things, but I think his performances at the moment are quite good.
“You feel that he’s more a leader now, and that can help the national team.”
Amorim’s remarks from the first part of the presser can be read here.
More to follow …
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Red Billy
Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
