Remain calm, keep doing the job we’re doing, Ruben Amorim tells Manchester United

LONDON – Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has urged his players to be calm, as he hopes to find some consistency amid their English Premier League home clash against Nottingham Forest on Dec 7.

Both sides are hoping to bounce back from midweek defeats – the Red Devils lost 2-0 to Arsenal, while Forest suffered a 3-0 defeat by Manchester City.

United’s setback, the first loss of the Amorim era, also meant that their seven-game unbeaten run across all competitions have come to an end.

“It’s sad because it’s a very competitive league, it can change with just one result,” said Amorim on Dec 6.

“We have to pass this phase. I feel the same way because, before the Arsenal game, you guys were asking about the top four, and now we return to this position... We have to remain calm and keep on doing the job we’re doing.”

United are a team struggling in mid-table at the moment. They are in 13th spot after an inconsistent run of five wins, four draws and five defeats. For Amorim, he has overseen a win, a draw and a defeat in the league.

“We need to have consistency... you feel you have to win three matches to see a big gap in the table,” he added.

“More or less (I know my best team), we have an idea. But, then, we have players returning, and we have to manage the load.

“We don’t have much time to train and have to prepare for the next opponent but, when I see the team, I think we’re improving in some aspects.”

Amorim’s side are seven points behind fourth-placed City, which is not too big a gap even though they are languishing in the lower half of the standings.

The Red Devils will be glad to return to Old Trafford after the loss to Arsenal at the Emirates.

They have won six and drawn one of their last seven games at the Theatre of Dreams in all competitions, scoring 20 goals and conceding just six.

Another positive is that United have claimed six victories in their seven Premier League home clashes with Forest.

On the injury front, Amorim will be without Luke Shaw, who suffered a setback in his recovery from a muscle issue, Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof.

With those three defenders out, Leny Yoro will be in contention to start after impressing off the bench against Arsenal. Defender Lisandro Martinez and midfielder Kobbie Mainoo are back after their one-match suspensions.

Forest have been a surprise team this season, surging to seventh in the table with six wins so far. However, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have lost a bit of momentum, losing three of their last four league matches.

Forest beat promoted side Ipswich Town 1-0 last weekend, before losing to City.

“Their results are difficult to predict because Ruben, in this moment, is changing a lot,” said Nuno of United.

“I think he is trying to get to know players better. The idea is there, we don’t know exactly who is going to play but, for sure, they have quality players.

“They are quality and have talented players. The shape is there. The personnel and the players... we cannot identify who is going to start, but our approach is always the same.”