2024 was a tough affair for Ruben Amorim. As a Sporting coach, huge success, as Manchester United’s hastily summoned coach, it was a tough encounter with the world’s toughest league. Not that the Portuguese can’t handle the pressure, but a lot because the United players were stripped of confidence and now introduced to a whole new football. 2025, on the other hand, has started well. Now Amorim warns that the toughest game will face the United players this week.
This year, United have fought their way to a 2-2 draw at Anfield against Premier League leaders Liverpool and on in the FA Cup after winning on penalties against Arsenal (with 10 players from the 61st minute!). So what in the hell could be tougher than this? The answer is surprising: Bottom team Southampton.
Ahead of Thursday’s Premier League game against Southampton, Ruben Amorim shows he has understood one of the big challenges for players and coaches at Manchester United.
“It’s my job to be worried, but we have to face Southampton the same way we faced Liverpool and Arsenal, that’s the goal. No more, no less, but face that game and understand that there are games people expect us to win,” Amorim begins at Wednesday’s press conference.
Because on Thursday it’s not about matching the best club on the ball, or beating England’s second best club in a cup match. Now it’s about winning games a club like Manchester United should win – no matter what.
“The next game will teach me more about my players than the last two. There were no expectations before the last two, now we are expected to win and play well,” the United manager continued.
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“It changes things when you have the pressure to win, but that’s the pressure we want. Sometimes it’s difficult. Against Arsenal and Liverpool, nobody expected us to beat those teams, but now we have to be prepared for that pressure, we need that pressure as a team and approach the game in the right way.
Everything you need to know about Manchester United – Southampton
