Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes echoed Ruben Amorim’s sentiments after the manager said he was “really angry” with his players despite their 2-2 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Lisandro Martinez fired the much-improved Red Devils into a surprise lead at Anfield, where Liverpool overturned the result before Amad Diallo equalized leave Fernandes baffled by his new team’s previous run of four consecutive defeats.
“I’m pretty upset,” said Fernandes, who returned from suspension to set up Martinez’s first goal as United beat Liverpool for the first time since 2018.
“If we show this level in Liverpool… why can’t we do it everywhere? That frustrates me. Also, I finally had a real one [individual] performance. We said we need a lot more of ourselves to get more out of this season.
“We made a real effort. Playing with passion and heart is what will give you something out of the game. You have to make an effort, and that’s why we did something. It can’t stop here.”
“Why can’t we do this every week…”
Bruno Fernandes says his team must give more if they want to fight for a higher position in the PL table 📈 pic.twitter.com/SDk0D1tEl2
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Amorim: ‘I have to calm down’
United fell to 14th before facing their opponents 23 points above themwith the most successful team in the history of the first league just seven points above the relegation zone.
They have lost their previous three games without scoring, including a 2-0 defeat at home to Newcastle on Monday in which they conceded both goals inside the first 20 minutes.
“I get more angry about other games, so it’s even harder to understand some things,” Amorim said, reiterating his belief that the problem is not trying to get players comfortable with his preferred 3-4-3 formation.
“It’s not about the system… it’s about something else. I need to calm down [before speaking to the players] and say the right things.
“We are in a difficult moment, but it is difficult not to get angry. We have to do that against any opponent. We have to fight hard to get out of this situation. I’m really, really mad about the other games.”
“I’m even more angry about the other games…we have to REALLY fight to get out of this situation”
Ruben Amorim says that today’s result made him ‘very angry’ at Man United’s previous results in the Premier League 😯 pic.twitter.com/MNIvEAlVWo
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Fernandes: United need points
United may have handed Liverpool only their second defeat in all competitions with the last attack of the game, but defender Harry Maguire shot over the bar from close range in the area.
“We have been criticized fairly,” Fernandes said. “Our position in the table says it all: we lost too many points.
“Even today we cannot be satisfied with the point. We need points and we could have won the game in the end, but it’s a fair result. Both teams played good football.”
After a three-match unbeaten start in all competitions following his arrival in November, Amorim have lost six of their next seven home games, with the exception of a late comeback to beat reigning champions Manchester City.
They travel to second-placed Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on Sunday (15:00 GMT) before hosting Premier League bottom side Southampton next Thursday (20:00).
“It’s the best performance under Ruben Amorim…” @GNev2 says Manchester United must keep their heads up in the Premier League! 👑 pic.twitter.com/xfKdZw7hGU
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
United ‘must suffer’
“It’s the way we face the game, the way we’re competitive,” Amorim said of United’s problems. “You don’t need training for that.
“It’s important not to relax and forget about tomorrow and then go back to the same behavior in the next game.
“I will try to remind these players that we have to suffer. It’s part of our job. I guarantee you, I really struggle with the basics.”
