Ruben Amorim has warned that the rest of the season could be a “roller coaster” for Manchester United as the players continue to adapt to his demands.
The Old Trafford crowd was left breathless in the closing stages United’s clash with Southampton on Thursday night. The home team deservedly trailed behind their guests, who were struggling and entered the end of the competition eight minutes earlier Amado Diallo’s first hat-trick for seniors saved all three points.
Amorim admitted his side “didn’t play well” against the Saints and warned that, with so few opportunities to work with a group of players he only met for the first time in November, it may not be a straight line to success.
“I think it will be difficult until the end of the season,” fretted the Portuguese coach, addressing the assembled media on Friday. “It’s going to be a rollercoaster.
“It depends on the time you have for training. We are still in FA Cup and we have Europa League matches. Then it’s important to focus on next Thursday to win [against Rangers] and try to be among the top eight.
“We try to do everything at the same time. We have seven practices together in 14, 15 games. It’s really hard, but we keep going and try to win, sometimes we play well, sometimes we play bad.”
United have impressed during their recent visits to the homes of Liverpool and Arsenal before late escape against Southampton. Amorim warned that it will take time to fix United’s historic penchant for counter-attacking – and the consequent struggle to break down solid defences.
“We were a transitional team in the past and we still are,” shrugged the former boss of Sporting CP. “You can feel it. We struggled a lot to create chances in the last third.
“That’s something we have to change. To change that, we need training. To have time to change, we have to win games and that’s what we’ll try to do.”
Next entry UnitedThe rollercoaster pits them against Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. The Seagulls have won each of their previous two visits to the Theater of Dreams.
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