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Ruben Amorim regrets saying his Manchester United team may be the worst in the club’s history and giving the post-match dressing down that reportedly damaged a television screen.
The head coach claimed his public comments after Sunday’s 3-1 defeat by Brighton at Old Trafford were aimed more at his underperformance than his players. He also suggested changing-room criticism of his squad had been an error because he does not usually address them after a game.
Reflecting on his press conference remarks, Amorim said: “I was talking more for myself than for my players because I was talking that [I am] a coach who starts out losing seven games in the first [15]. So it’s more for me. I was talking more about myself than the players.
“It’s the same players doing worse with a new coach – that is my only concern at the moment. I also talked in the same response about how I was not helping my players and if you look at every time you [media] push about the players [not being] good enough I never put the spot [blame] on my players.
“So I understand I give you that headline and I am frustrated sometimes. Sometimes I should not say it in these terms but it is what it is and that’s it. Sometimes it’s really hard to hide the frustration in the moment. But the good thing is I said the same things in a different way in the dressing room five minutes before.”
Amorim wishes he had not spoken to the players straight away. “I’m a young guy and sometimes I make a mistake,” the 39-year-old said. “That’s why I don’t talk after the game. This game, I needed to talk and maybe it was a mistake and then I get more nervous [frustrated] and went to the conference really nervous and say things I shouldn’t say. That’s it.
“Sometimes I’m a young guy and I make mistakes. I don’t promise you I won’t do it again but I will try to improve.”
Amorim was asked how the squad responded to his claim as he prepared for Thursday’s Europa League game at home to Rangers. “The response was quite normal because I’m really blunt with my players,” he said. “They trained well, they are ready for this game and let’s see tomorrow.”
Amorim has said the team are “nervous” at home. He was asked whether putting this thought in players’ minds helps them. “If you want, I can be delusional and say different things,” he said. “I say it as I saw it. I said to the players and I said to you: ‘It’s a good thing to be really honest with you.’ If you want me to say different things – you saw one thing, I saw one thing, and I tell you a different thing – I can start to do it. It’s easier for me.
“What I’m saying is that – and they [the players] know – you can understand the game, if you are in the stadium, you can understand it. So let’s face it and work on it. But I’m not nervous.”
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United go into the penultimate Europa League group match in seventh place with 12 points; if they beat Rangers, then Steaua Bucharest next week, they will be guaranteed last-16 qualification.
Greater Manchester police will have an increased presence on Thursday. The 2008 Uefa Cup final between Rangers and Zenit St Petersburg, played at the City of Manchester Stadium, was marred by violence on match day. Several people were sent to prison.
A GMP spokesperson said: “In the run-up to the match, we have worked closely with both clubs, supporter groups, partner agencies and members of the public to build on the work we have already done at previous football events to work with organisers and the local authority to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time.”
