Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim sees ‘more problems than solutions’
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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is under pressure to improve his team's results, with the Red Devils in 15th in the table.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim admitted he has “more problems than solutions” ahead of his side’s final trip to Goodison Park to take on Everton in an English Premier League clash on Feb 22.
The Portuguese boss’ tenure has continued to go from bad to worse, while United’s former manager David Moyes is enjoying an impressive start to his second spell in charge of the Toffees.
As it stands, Everton head into this weekend 14th in the table, one point above the Red Devils in 15th.
“What I feel is that sometimes you don’t feel improvement in the team but some games you think we can play and create situations. That is a good thing,” Amorim said on Feb 21.
“In this moment, when you watch the games, you see more problems than solutions. That is clear... (In) some games, I see things are there and we are capable but we have to be consistent...
“We have a lot of issues to solve. If I’m thinking about Real Sociedad (in the Europa League last 16) and winning trophies, that’s not the right way to do my job.
“The players are improving, creating relationships, but we have to use that in the game. In training, we are bonding and understanding the way we want to play but, then, in a game we struggle a lot.”
On facing Everton, he added: “The confidence, the way they play, they believe a lot, so it’s an amazing job from David Moyes and you can feel the confidence when you watch their games, so it will be a really difficult game.”
Despite United’s struggles of late, they should relish playing against Everton, as they have won their last five league fixtures against the hosts – and six in all competitions, including an FA Cup win in 2023.
To rub salt into the wounds of the Toffees, United won the last four with a combined score of 11-0, meaning that Everton have not scored against the Red Devils since that 3-1 FA Cup loss.
United won the reverse fixture in December 4-0 in Amorim’s third match at the helm since taking over in November.
However, the Red Devils have gone on to lose eight of their 12 league matches since, including five of six at Old Trafford. That poor form has resulted in the English giants now languishing below mid-table.
Attack has been an issue for United all season. With Marcus Rashford and Antony out on loan at Aston Villa and Real Betis respectively, the team’s front line is down to bare bones.
Striker Rasmus Hojlund has not scored a goal in 15 matches, while forward Joshua Zirkzee is on a 12-game drought in the league.
United are also struggling with injury issues, with Kobbie Mainoo, Toby Collyer, Mason Mount, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Altay Bayindir sidelined. The in-form Amad Diallo is out for the rest of the season.
Amorim, however, should be able to welcome back Leny Yoro, Christian Eriksen and Manuel Ugarte.
As for Everton, Seamus Coleman, Orel Mangala, Iliman Ndiaye, Dwight McNeil, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Armando Broja, Nathan Patterson and Youssef Chermiti are out injured.
The Toffees had won just three of 19 league games – scoring only 15 goals – under former manager Sean Dyche before the Englishman was sacked. In came Moyes and the Scot has steadied the ship, with Everton winning four and scoring 12 league goals in their last six games.
As United lost 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, Everton showed what they were made of with a 2-1 win at Crystal Palace, Carlos Alcaraz scoring his first goal for the club in the 80th minute to seal the victory.
Things are looking good for the Toffees, who will move into a new 52,888-seater stadium next season. But Moyes is taking nothing for granted.
He said: “Every win in the Premier League is really difficult. We’re certainly not taking them for granted. We’ve had a really good run and we’ve got to keep that going.”
