Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United debut was a mixed bag, as the Red Devils scored early but often struggled in an understandably uncomfortable first look at the manager’s tenure — a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
Amad Diallo set up Marcus Rashford for a second-minute goal, but United was uneasy in Amorim’s back three with only two full training sessions under its belt prior to the visit to Portman Road.
[ MORE: Ipswich vs Man United recap | What did we learn about Amorim? ]
The Red Devils looked much better late as Amorim brought on game-changers as his first four subs following a Starting XI that seemed to favor players who were in town for more of the international break.
And now we have Amorim’s reaction, as the 39-year-old Portuguese delivered his verdict on his first 90 minutes of Premier League management.
Too long, about to read? Amorim says the game was fine for a first game, but the Red Devils were in their own heads and only wins are acceptable at Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim reaction — ‘We have to risk a little bit now’
“Difficult match. I noticed that my players were thinking too much. New things, and they were thinking what they have to do. It’s not normal in this stage of the season but from the first moment it was hard for them to cope. It’s a draw and that’s never a good feeling when you’re at Manchester United.”
“After [the goal] we had possessions with the ball, too small. We have to keep the ball more often, for more time. When we have the ball it’s time to control the game. We couldn’t do it. We lost some intensity under pressure and in the second half we improved a little bit. but it’s two trainings and to change details is hard for the players so let’s continue in the next game.”
“We have two ways to do this — try to win games and forget our identity and think in the next preseason about our identity. If we do that, next year in this stage we’ll have the same problems. We have to risk a little bit now because they will learn.”
“They have the quality. They have to believe. It’s us against the opponents. Be together, work hard, don’t talk too much. I talked a lot this week but they can focus on the job and they can do it.”
