Ruben Amorim welcomes break despite Manchester United upturn

LEICESTER – Ruben Amorim said his Manchester United players have been stretched to “their limit” despite continuing an upwards trajectory with a comfortable 3-0 win at Leicester City on March 16.

Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho ended their barren runs in front of goal before the in-form Bruno Fernandes rounded off a fine victory for the visitors at the King Power Stadium.

With his two assists, the United captain became the sixth player to reach 50 assists in the English Premier League for the club after Ryan Giggs (162), Wayne Rooney (93), David Beckham (80), Paul Scholes (55) and Eric Cantona (51).

United move up to 13th in the Premier League, but are finally showing signs of improvement after a difficult first few months in the job for Amorim. The Red Devils are unbeaten in seven games, excluding penalty shoot-outs, and are into the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

United are not in action for another 2½ weeks as an international break is followed by the FA Cup quarter-finals, and Amorim has welcomed that time to rest and recover with an injury-ravaged squad, despite fears it could halt his side’s momentum.

“It’s a shame we stop for the national teams when our confidence is at its biggest. It was clear today my players are at the limit. We are going to use this window to rest and recover, it will be good,” said the Portuguese.

“The feeling is completely different (after back-to-back wins). When we return, it will be like starting from scratch.”

United have now won all four meetings this season against Leicester, two of which came during Ruud van Nistelrooy’s interim spell in charge, before Amorim’s appointment.

The Dutchman has struggled to make any meaningful impact since being appointed Leicester boss, as the Foxes have lost 13 of their last 14 league games to slip nine points adrift of safety.

Leicester also set an unwanted record as the first English top-flight side to fail to score in seven consecutive home league games.

“In both boxes, the difference in quality showed. The efficiency in finishing chances, and also defending key moments in the game. Overall, if you look at the metrics of the game, there’s not much in it. But obviously, the efficiency is there,” said van Nistelrooy.

All three promoted sides now look destined for the drop for the second consecutive Premier League season. Ipswich Town sit above Leicester only on goal difference, while bottom-of-the-table Southampton have taken just nine points from 29 games.

“The gap is nine points, it’s big, but we can’t and won’t give up. We’ll keep going and use all the possibilities we have to turn this situation around. Now we’ll have a long break and come back from there,” said van Nistelrooy. AFP