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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has revealed that his side wanted it more compared to Manchester City, and that’s why they beat the reigning Champions at the Etihad.
Josko Gvardiol gave City the lead moments before the break, as he headed in a cross from Kevin de Bruyne.
It looked like Amorim’s men were destined for a third consecutive Premier League defeat but Amad Diallo had other ideas.
The Ivorian won a penalty for United, after being brought down inside the box by a reckless Matheus Nunes. Bruno Fernandes made no mistake from the spot-kick to restore parity.
Seconds later, Amad latched on to an excellent ball from Lisandro Martinez before bringing it under his spell, rounding Ederson and guiding it into the back of the net.
After the final whistle, Amorim spoke to Sky Sports and said, “Three points. We have a lot to do but massive for our fans. But I see the same game until 85 minutes.”
“Maybe our conversation would be so different without the goals but the performance was the same. They were in the game for 90 minutes. We didn’t control the result throughout but I think we deserved this. Good day for us.”
“You can feel it we were near to scoring. We improved our speed in our runs and had opportunities. We controlled the attack of City and we believed it in the end. We wanted it more when we scored the first goal. Congratulations to the lads.”
Amorim added, “It’s really important but when these game finished I remembered one week ago in the storm. We were 3-1 down at home to Nottingham and I keep that feeling for these days to not get carried away. We needed it a lot the three points.”
On whether he’s already thinking about the next game, Amorim replied, “It’s more the problem with Mason Mount, you think right away. We have a lot of games. We have to continue to win. This will change if we don’t continue to win.”
“He [Mount] fits our style. He’s a very good player inside and also outside the pitch. The type of character we want in this team and the club want. He made the movement and stretched his leg, he felt something. But we need him.”
On Amad, Amorim said, “Erik [Ten Hag] and Ruud [Van Nistelrooy] did a great job with him, we continue that. Really important. All the players fit in my system. If they want to be in it, if they are talented, every player can fit in this system.”
On omitting Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from the matchday squad, Amorim explained, “Nothing special. Finish one game, start a new week. New week, new life, if they train well they will compete for a place in the team. They are playing because they are talented, we need Rashford and Garnacho.”
“Next week if they train well like the others. It’s the same for everyone. They will play or be on the bench. It was not a disciplinary thing.”
“We have to improve our standards inside and outside the pitch. It was a normal week.”
United are back in action on Thursday, when they face Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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