Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim “I have a lot of problems, my job is so, so hard here. But I stick with my beliefs”…And that’s the problem. Sticking with his beliefs are going to get us relegated.

Ruben Amorim Frustrated After United’s Defeat to Spurs

Manchester United’s challenging season continued with a bitter 1-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, marking their 12th Premier League loss of the campaign. The Red Devils, missing several key players, were unable to capitalize on the chances they created, with Alejandro Garnacho among those to miss glaring opportunities. Manager Ruben Amorim expressed his frustration post-match, highlighting the difficulty of managing a squad decimated by injuries and illness.

The defeat leaves United in a precarious position, as Amorim’s side now faces mounting challenges on both the pitch and in the medical room. Their loss to Tottenham was sealed by a solitary goal from James Maddison, but the match was far from one-sided. United created enough chances to claim at least a point, but they failed to convert, with Garnacho notably blazing over a golden opportunity from just eight yards out. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee also struggled to break down a resilient Tottenham defense, where goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario stood out as the player of the match.

Amorim was quick to address the team’s inability to capitalize on their chances. “In the end, they score, we didn’t. That was the big difference in the game,” the United manager told Sky Sports. “We had a lot of chances but in the end they scored one and we didn’t. That was the story of the game.” Despite the defeat, Amorim focused on the positives, pointing out that his team had created more attacking opportunities than in recent matches.

However, the absence of several key players continues to disrupt Amorim’s tactical plans. Amad Diallo’s ankle injury, which could keep him out for the rest of the season, has been a significant blow. The team also missed the presence of first-choice central midfielders Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo, with the latter expected to be sidelined for six weeks. Long-term injury victim Lisandro Martinez was joined by Leny Yoro on the injury list, further depleting the squad.

With so many absences, Amorim was forced to rely on a number of youth players to fill the bench, including eight teenagers. The lack of senior options on the substitutes’ bench limited Amorim’s tactical flexibility during the game. Despite the heavy reliance on youngsters, Amorim expressed confidence in their development, saying, “They will play during this season. We will have games in the cup and Europe, and they will play. I feel it, I think everybody can feel it, we are near the goal. I don’t want to change the players when we are near it.”

The young players are expected to be given more opportunities as the season progresses. Amorim remains hopeful that the club’s injury crisis will ease in the coming weeks, but the constant reshuffling of tactics has made it difficult to find a winning formula. “You start with one idea, but as you lose players, you have to adjust. We cannot play the same way with Joshua Zirkzee as we can with Amad Diallo,” he explained.

The manager also discussed the challenges of balancing offensive and defensive responsibilities, especially with key figures like Bruno Fernandes, who is crucial both in build-up play and in pressing from the front. Amorim admitted that it has been difficult to get his players to consistently react to the tactical changes necessitated by the injuries. “4-4-2 in a low block is harder to play against this team than what we did today, that’s my opinion. They are so open and stretch the team.”

The loss to Tottenham is another blow in what has been a frustrating season for United. Amorim, however, remains determined to stick with his principles, despite the adversity. “I have a lot of problems, my job is so, so hard here. But I stick with my beliefs,” he asserted. The Portuguese manager’s resolve will be tested further as United prepare for upcoming matches, with more youth players expected to feature prominently.

Despite the difficult circumstances, Amorim was not ready to throw in the towel. “Sometimes you want Bruno to reach the ball in the build-up because he’s really good at switching the play. But then you want Bruno also to press, and it’s really hard,” he said. The constant changes in personnel and tactics have left the team struggling to find a consistent rhythm, but Amorim remains focused on building for the future.

With United’s injuries continuing to pile up, Amorim’s confidence in his young players will be put to the test. The likes of Chido Obi, who made his Premier League debut in the final minute of the Tottenham match, will likely play an important role in the remainder of the season. Amorim is not shying away from giving these players the chance to prove themselves, despite the team’s current predicament.

As the season progresses, the challenges facing United seem unlikely to ease anytime soon. The absence of key players, combined with the pressure of competing in multiple competitions, will test Amorim’s leadership. However, he remains unwavering in his belief that the team can still achieve their objectives, even if it means relying on younger players to make an impact.

The defeat to Tottenham was a tough pill to swallow, but Amorim is determined to keep pushing forward. “You grow and you learn a lot of things,” he said. “We just need to face it and not run away. That is my feeling. Today will hurt, it is a tough pain to lose so many games, but then you can change things in a week.” The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether United can turn their fortunes around, but for now, Amorim’s focus remains on building a foundation for the future.

United fans will have to remain patient as the club navigates through this challenging period. With Amorim at the helm, there is hope that the team will find a way to bounce back from this setback and start to show signs of improvement. However, it remains to be seen whether the young players can rise to the occasion and help United recover from their recent slump.

The road ahead may be difficult, but with Amorim’s resolve and belief in his players, Manchester United can still look forward to a brighter future.