Ruben Amorim has admitted Manchester United are suffering “maybe one of their lowest moments” and has called for everyone – including the exiled Marcus Rashford – to be “strong in the moment”.
United were heavily beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday to leave them 13th in the Premier League table, and Amorim’s side go into a Boxing Day trip to Wolves having lost three of their last four games.
Meanwhile, United’s former talisman Rashford has been left out of the last three matchday squads and gave a bombshell interview last week to announce he is looking for a “new challenge”.
Asked if the Rashford saga is in danger of becoming a distraction, Amorim said: “No, I don’t think so. Not for me, not for the other players.
“Because everybody is there every day during training. They understand. That is the key point. For the media and for the other people, I cannot control that.
“But I am really focused and they know I am so clear in my message. Everyone in Carrington knows what I’m talking about and what I want from Marcus and everybody else. It’s not a distraction for us, maybe it is for the media but it’s not my concern.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim says Marcus Rashford’s exclusion from previous matchday squads is down to his way of doing things and admits he won’t ‘lose himself’ at the club
Asked what he wants to see from Rashford, Amorim replied: “Like any other player, the best that they can be.
“If you have big talent, big performance, big responsibility, push forward everybody in this moment. Some guys have a big responsibility here because they are here for a long time.
“This is maybe one of the lowest moments in our club so we have to face it and be strong in this moment. That’s what I want from every player on the team.”
Amorim: I know what I’m doing
Rashford was first dropped from the United matchday squad ahead of the Manchester derby victory on December 15 and Amorim has confirmed the forward wants to play for the team, but the Portuguese manager is standing by his call.
“Yeah, it’s my decision,” said Amorim. “He wants to play, he’s trying, but it’s my decision, only my decision.
“I spoke with a lot of players, individually and during training. I’m doing this my way and it’s the only way I know. If I don’t do that, I lose myself and I don’t want to lose myself. I know what I’m doing.”
Amorim has refused to close the door on Marcus Rashford at Manchester United
Rashford was an ever-present figure under previous manager Erik ten Hag and Amorim claims he cannot blame the Dutchman’s reign for his team currently struggling in the Premier League.
United’s woes were epitomised by a leak emerging in the press conference room ceiling during Amorim’s briefing after the Bournemouth game – with the Portuguese coach even using that comical moment to claim he can turn around the fortunes of the club.
“It’s a difficult question to answer, and we have to know that: don’t let this become normal,” he said.
“I understand that it’s a tough moment and it’s on me. Since the first day I arrived, it’s on me because I’m responsible for the team.
“We cannot think about that, we have to think about improving, to understand the context and not focus on what happened in the past. The present is this, what we have to do in the future is [not let this] happen again.
“If I knew, I would solve all the problems of the club, even this [points to the leak in the press conference room ceiling].
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
After the disappointing 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth, Ruben Amorim’s press conference was interrupted… by a leak at Old Trafford
“I know what I’m going to do, that is so clear for me, that’s why I feel I’m so – I won’t say relaxed because I’m really frustrated – but I know what to do.
“But we have to solve the problems step by step, finding answers for everything but it’s a very difficult moment, we understand the fans and we will fight that.”
Amorim’s passionate message to the Man Utd fans
Amorim also talked about the “anxiety” of the Manchester United fans around Old Trafford during the defeat to Bournemouth – but says he cannot fault the fans for “doing everything right” from the stands.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Manchester United’s match against Bournemouth in the Premier League
The 39-year-old also admitted he understands the frustration and disappointment they are showing in the players.
“I cannot say better things about the fans,” he said. “What I’m trying to say to the fans is: we understand. I understand as a coach. I understand the moment, the frustration and the disappointment. I understand it.
“We will improve, it will take time. I said the same thing after we beat Everton and people were talking about the top four. So I know it’s going to be really tough but it’s important for us, in this side, to say to the supporters we understand, I understand.
“And they are incredible, the support that we have. We are having a season that we have not seen for [many] years and we know that. The only thing is to face it, prepare the next game like we won – if you can say that – and then go again and try to win a match.
“It’s just from us. They need our help, not the other way around. They are doing everything right.”
