Ruben Amorim praises Manchester United spirit in EPL win over Newcastle United
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Manchester United's Patrick Dorgu trying to find a way past Lewis Miley of Newcastle United during the Red Devils' 1-0 English Premier League win over the Magpies at Old Trafford on Dec 26.
PHOTO: REUTERS
LONDON – Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim conceded his team’s Boxing Day 1-0 victory over Newcastle United
Patrick Dorgu struck in the first half before the Red Devils fended off an onslaught of Newcastle chances after the break, particularly in the dying minutes, to clinch a vital English Premier League win.
Amorim said desire made the difference at Old Trafford.
“We had to suffer all together in the stadium,” he told reporters.
“Especially if you see the second half, we managed to defend, sometimes with a back six, but we suffered together, and that is a good feeling. If we have always this spirit, we are going to win so, so, so many games.
“I think it’s something that we need, to feel that we can win sometimes without playing so well, that we can win games with the spirit and with the togetherness in the team.”
Amorim’s side defended valiantly to pick up their second clean sheet this season, despite having just 33 per cent of possession and playing with a depleted team missing several key players including captain Bruno Fernandes, Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo.
“The feeling is good, but if you compare to other games, we suffer so much more today, but in certain moments, we put everything on the line,” the 40-year-old manager added.
“We were inside the box, we are putting our body in front of the goal, we were defending every cross. So that is a good feeling to have a clean sheet.
“We had so many games that we controlled so much better (than) the opponent and we suffer (a) goal, sometimes you just need a little bit luck.”
Amorim also praised the 21-year-old Dorgu, who scored his first goal for United – a stunning volley into the bottom corner – after starting in an advanced role on the right wing.
“You put him in one position that is more in front, the responsibility is not the same,” the Portuguese said. “He has more freedom to lose the ball and I think it helped Patrick to play better.”
He also had kind words for 19-year-old defender Ayden Heaven, who is becoming a mainstay of United’s backline largely due to injuries and was named Man of the Match.
“I’m really pleased with Ayden,” Amorim said. “You can feel he is improving every game. It will be really hard (for another player) to take his place.”
The one negative on the night was the loss of Mason Mount after the first half due to injury.
“He felt something at half-time,” Amorim added.
Newcastle, meanwhile, continued their miserable away form on Dec 26. The Magpies have won just once in nine league games on the road this season.
“Second half was a lot better than the first, but we didn’t do enough. We had to do more,” said manager Eddie Howe. “We were very dominant in the second period and I felt if we scored we could have gone on to win the game, but it didn’t happen.” REUTERS, AFP
