Ruben Amorim says Manchester United will not give him the time that Mikel Arteta had at Arsenal
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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim during the 1-1 Europa League draw with Real Sociedad.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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LONDON – Ruben Amorim does not believe he will get as much time at Manchester United to turn things around as Mikel Arteta was given to revive Arsenal’s fortunes.
The manager has struggled since succeeding Erik ten Hag in November, with United languishing 14th in the English Premier League heading into this weekend and are out of both domestic Cup competitions.
The Europa League is the only remaining route to silverware and, realistically, continental qualification for a threadbare side preparing to take on second-placed Arsenal in the EPL at Old Trafford on March 9.
The Gunners are buoyed by a midweek 7-1 Champions League last-16 win at PSV Eindhoven.
Arteta has made Arsenal a force again, with some eye-catching decisions as he reshaped the squad after being appointed in late 2019, including getting rid of senior players.
Asked if he saw similarities between Arteta and him, Amorim said: “I don’t feel that. I will not have the time that Arteta had. It’s a different club. So, we just need to survive with the players on Sunday.
“I think it’s a different club... the way Arteta dealt with that is an inspiration for everybody. I will not have the time like Arteta had.”
United secured a 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
They were without 11 first-team players in Spain, where the lack of options in their 18-man squad and recent exertions took their toll.
“We need to survive Sunday. The team was so tired in the last 20 minutes. We have to prepare Sunday and then think about this important game for our season on Thursday (the return leg against Sociedad),” Amorim reiterated.
The Portuguese does not expect any of his injured players to be fit in time to face Arsenal, with Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte joining the lengthy casualty list this week.
Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount and Luke Shaw remain out, as do Jonny Evans, Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton, while Patrick Dorgu is suspended.
A protest against United’s unpopular American owners the Glazers – who are propped up by Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group – is planned around the game by the 1958 fan group.
“For everybody in our club, it’s a really tough moment. It’s everything at the same time. The only thing I can do, and our players can do, is perform well and win,” Amorim added.
“People have the right to protest. I think it’s a good thing to do that. It’s part of our club. Everybody has a voice.
“But our job and my job is just to improve the team and give them something in this moment because they deserve it and they are amazing.”
While United are struggling, Arteta has instead praised the Red Devils’ character and legacy while highlighting the boost his side got from their huge Champions League win as the key to maintaining momentum.
“The history of United speaks for itself. The players they have, the club they are – there’s a legacy of overcoming difficult situations and they’re always a dangerous opponent, especially when you least expect it,” he said.
“Watching their recent games, you can see the character in their squad. They are more than capable of putting in a strong performance and beating you on the day.”
Arteta added that Arsenal would try to carry on the positive momentum from their midweek win.
“What happened was we were super effective in the box and that’s a massive strength, especially in the Champions League, and that’s why we won the game with that margin,” the Spaniard said.
“The manner of the way we did it lifted everybody but that is in the past unfortunately.
“It is about what we do today, the preparation for tomorrow and trying to replicate a great performance again on Sunday.” AFP, REUTERS
