EPL: Amorim predicts tough times for players after 1-1 at Ipswich
CHIGOZIE AMADI
Manchester United coach, Ruben Amorim, has stated that his players would suffer for a long period of time after his side was held to a 1-1 draw at Ipswich in his first game in charge of the club.
According to Sky sports, in his post press conference on Sunday, Amorim appealed to Manchester United fans for time, saying that a lot of changes are ongoing with a lot of games to be played.
He said, “I know it is frustrating for the fans, but we are changing so much in this moment, with a lot of games. We are going to suffer for a long period and try to win games, this will take time. We could win vs Ipswich, but we could also lose if not for Onana.
“But we have to think and be pragmatic about the fact that these guys had two days to train and change so much.”
Responding to question about his side’s performance after the game, he stated the need for his side to improve their understanding of his style.
“It’s a tough league, you learn that in the first moment. My players were thinking too much in the game, you can feel it. Not just on the ball but where they are supposed to be. It is hard because it is just two days with the team so it’s really hard. I think the physicality we needed more in the first half.
“If you see the first half, you can see that they are a little bit afraid. Hutchinson was always in the dead space, Jonny Evans should be pressing his guy but when we don’t have training and it’s hard to say all the reactions to the players, we had two days, so they are confused a little bit.
“They want this, the players want this, they don’t know how to get it, that was my feeling. You start discovering things that you didn’t know like Garna [Alejandro Garnacho], can hold the ball between lines, you can understand that by seeing the games because he’s always open, so you try to find these things.
“Bruno Fernandes improved his game by playing near the ball. So, he can give us the long pass, but you cannot put him there all the time because he wants the long pass all the time. We will try to find a lot of things about the players, we will need a lot of time to work out these things,” he appealed.
United made a dream start to the game, scoring less than two minutes after the first whistle with Marcus Rashford tapping home to kickstart Amorim’s tenure. However, Ipswich quickly found themselves on top, dominating possession and chances before Omari Hutchinson, helped by a deflection off Noussair Mazrouai, curled in an equaliser.
Amorim’s side covered a total distance of 102km throughout the game, their second lowest of the season.
Asked why his side struggled physically he said: “We have to look at the data, understand the data and look at that.
“First, we have to understand the game, we have to be so much better physically to cope with the high pressure, the volume of the high-speed running, all these things but we need time to work on these things.”