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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has warned fans that they’re in for a painful period before things start to get better.
Amorim spoke to the media after United were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Marcus Rashford gave the Red Devils a very early lead but they couldn’t build on it and allowed the Tractor Boys an avenue back into the game. The hosts eventually restored parity, with Omari Hutchinson finding the back of the net just before half time.
United remain in 12th position in the Premier League, with just 16 points gained from a possible 36.
While there are some positives to take from the team’s performance, it’s clear that Amorim has a big job on his hands.
This is something Amorim seems to be fully aware of if his remarks to journalists after the final whistle are anything to go by. In his post-match press conference, the 39-year-old told fans that they will have to be patient as he works to drill his system and football tactics into his players.
Amorim also revealed that some of the United’s stars were “stuck” against Ipswich, as they were playing in a new set-up.
“It’s hard to expect anything now. It’s not a surprise but you have to see it in game. That’s why I was a little bit anxious because you cannot understand what will happen in the game. I felt that.”
“They were trying, they were thinking too much during the game and that is normal. We start very well but then we should have more possession with the ball, kept the ball and sometimes we had the ball in defence and the rest of the guys were too stuck because they were thinking, ‘where should I be?’ So this is the first point, when we make a new structure and you are so clear on that, they need time to have some fluidity in the game and I felt that. But it’s two games and I felt they did okay.”
“What I understood today is they are trying, they are really trying, they stay in the positions, they receive the information and they try to use it in the game, that is very important. Even in the difficult moments I felt they were doing the things we wanted them to do.”
“I know it’s 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 we will try to win games, this will take time.”
Amorim added, “We have to win games but we could lose if it was not for Onana. So I think we have to understand that and think and be pragmatic that these guys had two days to train to change so much. They are thinking too much because things are so different. Some details, they used to pass the ball and go forward. Even the centre backs. Now they have to go back.”
“These type of things they start going forward and they have to think too much. Dalot used to do it, pass the ball to centre backs, go inside, play as a midfielder, now he has to stick to this position. It’s hard for the players in three days to cope with everything but we forget about the new idea. I think that’s why I was brought here in the middle of the season and we try to cope with the things they are used to doing.”
He cautioned, “Next year, in the same stage we will be here with the same problems. Or we start now, we risk a little bit, we suffer a little bit and in the next year we will be better at this point so we have to risk it a little bit. They are thinking too much because we are changing too much with two trainings now without space to improve in training.”
“Everybody knows that we have a problem now with the centre backs but they are three defenders, two midfielders, two wingers, two No.10s and one striker. But you change if you play Bruno Fernandes in the same position as Garnacho, it’s a completely different game.”
“When we want to listen to a lot of you guys that Manchester United doesn’t have a structure, we will have a situation of you see a structure and you will say that but, ‘oh it’s not fluid’. This is like steps.”
Amorim explained that when the players understand his structure and his system’s demands, then they will perform much better.
He called for time but also noted that victories are important and will not become a second priority.
Up next for United is a Europa League clash against FK Bodø/Glimt on Thursday.
Feature image Richard Pelham via Getty Images