Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim warns of a constant ‘rollercoaster’ as attempts to rebuild the club continue.
WHO: Manchester United vs Brighton
What: English Premier League
Where: Old Trafford, Manchester, Great Britain
When: 14:00 (16:00 GMT) on Sunday
Follow Al Jazeera’s live coverage with our text and photo coverage of the match.
Ruben Amorim has warned that Manchester United’s season will continue to be a “rollercoaster” as the players learn to adapt to his system after their dramatic 3-1 win against Southampton.
Premier League basement club Southampton were on the verge of a shock victory at Old Trafford on Thursday before Amad Diallo scored an incredible hat-trick inside 12 minutes to turn the game around.
A heavy fight ensued 2-2 draw with Liverpool and a morale-boosting FA Cup win against Arsenal.
Amorim, who took over from the sacked Erik ten Hag in November, had previously warned of a “storm to come” ahead of a run of six defeats in eight games.
At 22 years and 189 days, Amad became Man Utd’s youngest scorer for a hat-trick at Old Trafford in the Premier League ✨ pic.twitter.com/Bmd1a6CXfd
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 16, 2025
The 39-year-old Portuguese coach predicted more turbulence after a poor result against struggling Saints. Despite the win, United, who welcome Brighton on Sunday, are still languishing in 12th place in the Premier League table.
“I think it’s going to be tough for the rest of the season,” Amorim said. “It’s going to be a bit of a rollercoaster. Then it depends on the time you have to train. We are still in [FA] Cup and we have UEFA Europa League matches.
“Then it’s important to focus on next Thursday [when Scottish giants Rangers visit Old Trafford] to win and try to be in that top eight.”
He added: “We had seven training sessions together in 14, 15 games. It is very difficult, but we have to continue and try to win. Sometimes he plays well, sometimes badly.”
Man of the moment 🏆⚽️
🫶 @Amaddiallo_19 #MUFC || #MUNSOU pic.twitter.com/5YTq79IL6U
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 16, 2025
Amorim accepted that his side did not play well against Southampton and indicated that several players were tired, including Manuel Ugarte, whose own goal late in the first half put the visitors ahead.
“Your [the media] they are focused on what I said about Ugarte,” he said. “Ugarte was tired because he did a great job against Liverpool.
“If you look at the game against Arsenal, maybe Ugarte and Bruno [Fernandes] were the best players against Liverpool.
“They didn’t play against Newcastle. I think that happens with all players in the Premier League.”
Manchester United team news
Diogo Dalot returns from a one-match ban, but Mason Mount and Luke Shaw remain out through injury.
The midfield could give Amorim pause for thought with Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte both substituted against Southampton due to fatigue.
Brighton team news
Former Manchester City midfielder James Milner is out with an injury. Ferdi Kadioglu was also sent off with a knock, but Georginio Rutter could return to the starting 11 after scoring as a substitute at Ipswich.
Head to head
Brighton will become only the second team to win three consecutive Premier League away games against Manchester United if they take all three points on Sunday.
The other side to do so is Manchester City, who have achieved it twice.
It has been an overall positive run for the Seagulls, who have won five of their last six matches against the Red Devils.
