“The Decision Was Not the Best” – Ruben Amorim Calls Out Manchester United Star After Europa League Draw

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim expressed his dissatisfaction with one of his players following the club’s 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash. The match, played at the Anoeta Stadium, was filled with drama as United initially took the lead before conceding a penalty that allowed the Spanish side to equalize.

United’s breakthrough came in the 57th minute when Joshua Zirkzee found the back of the net with a well-taken strike. However, their advantage was short-lived as Real Sociedad was awarded a penalty just minutes later due to a handball incident involving Bruno Fernandes. Mikel Oyarzabal stepped up and coolly slotted the ball past André Onana, leveling the score and setting the stage for a tense second leg at Old Trafford.

Despite the overall solid performance from United, Amorim was visibly frustrated with a key moment involving right-back Diogo Dalot. The Portuguese defender found himself in a promising position on the right flank, with Rasmus Højlund making a clever run into the box. Instead of delivering a decisive cross, Dalot hesitated, cut back inside, and opted for a safer pass, effectively ending a golden scoring opportunity.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Amorim did not shy away from calling out the player’s decision-making. “The decision was not the best,” he admitted. “In that moment, we needed to be more aggressive in attack. We had the numbers, we had the movement, but we lacked the conviction to capitalize.”

The United manager also addressed the team’s overall performance, acknowledging that they played well for large stretches of the game but were ultimately undone by the penalty incident. “I think we played well until the penalty,” Amorim reflected. “That moment changed the momentum of the game. We were in control, but after that, I noticed a drop in energy levels.”

He pointed out that the team appeared fatigued in the closing stages, which allowed Real Sociedad to apply more pressure. “The last 20 minutes were difficult for us. We couldn’t maintain the same intensity, and they took advantage of that,” he added.

Despite the frustrating result, Amorim highlighted some positives from the match, particularly in United’s attacking movements. “We are creating chances. Sometimes, you don’t see it in the xG numbers because we hesitate to take the shot, but the opportunities are there. We need to be more decisive.”

Dalot’s moment of hesitation was not the only incident that drew scrutiny. Marcus Rashford also missed a crucial chance late in the game, opting for an extra touch instead of taking an early shot. These small details, Amorim insisted, make a significant difference at this level.

“We have to be ruthless,” the manager stressed. “In European competitions, you don’t get too many chances. When you do, you have to take them. That’s what separates top teams from the rest.”

With the tie still in the balance, United must now shift their focus back to the Premier League before preparing for the decisive second leg at Old Trafford. A win at home would see them progress to the quarter-finals, but Amorim is well aware that improvements are needed.

One key aspect the manager emphasized was the team’s approach in the final third. He believes that United must be more unpredictable in attack, rather than relying on predictable patterns of play. “We need to be dynamic. Right now, we are sometimes too easy to read. Opponents are studying us, so we must have different solutions,” he explained.

As for Dalot, Amorim reassured that the defender remains an important part of his plans but urged him to be more decisive in crucial moments. “He is a talented player, and he understands what I expect from him. These are learning moments. I trust him to improve,” he said.

United will next face a crucial Premier League fixture against Arsenal at Old Trafford, a game that could significantly impact their top-four ambitions. Amorim hopes that the lessons from the Real Sociedad match will be applied in the upcoming domestic clash.

“We have to respond,” he said. “It’s a big game for us, and we must show that we can handle the pressure. The players know what is expected.”

As the Europa League second leg approaches, United fans will be hoping their team can put in a sharper and more clinical performance. With Amorim’s clear message to his players, all eyes will be on how the team responds when they meet Real Sociedad again on home turf.