Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has publicly criticised four players during his tenure at Old Trafford as he demands higher standards
Several senior players in the Manchester United dressing room have felt the full force of Ruben Amorim’s anger since his arrival at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have experienced a mixed campaign thus far, with victories over Liverpool and Crystal Palace standing out as bright spots for the club.
Yet defeats against Everton, Brentford and Manchester City have prompted Amorim to single out certain players for criticism, something he has shown no hesitation in doing since taking the reins. Club captain Bruno Fernandes was among those to face the Portuguese manager’s fury early in his spell, following his dismissal in a 2-0 defeat to Wolves last season.
The midfielder picked up a second booking and was sent off in the second half, prompting Amorim to highlight the problems caused by the red card. He said: “It’s so tough to win games in this league with 11 men. With 10 men, it’s more difficult. So we have to focus on that.”
Reports also suggested that the boss deliberately blanked his skipper as he trudged off the pitch. Nevertheless, Amorim acknowledged that Fernandes was equally disappointed by the dismissal.
He said: “I am always frustrated with the red card, but it can happen as he always want to go for the ball. It is not like he wants to stop the player with a yellow. He wanted to go for the ball, the guy got there first and there is a contact and that thing is tough on him also.”
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This season, Patrick Dorgu, Matheus Cunha and Leny Yoro have all felt the force of Amorim’s frustration. Most recently, the manager took issue with defender Yoro after he gave away a penalty against Crystal Palace in November, accusing the youngster of overthinking.
Pointing to the French defender’s age, Amorim said: “Of course, I also spoke with him because he thinks too much. He makes the mistakes in the game and then he struggles because he’s too young and he wants to do everything so well. And he’s growing.
“He’s growing in one moment that everyone here is growing with games, with setbacks, so it’s not easy for him as a young guy. And of course, he cannot give that to the people, the way he came to the bench. So, he understands that, but he was really frustrated.”
He added: “On the good side, it shows that he cares and he was knowing that was not the best game, but he did some things well, and I show him that also, so he’s fit and ready for the next challenge.”
Fellow defender Dorgu hasn’t escaped Amorim’s criticism either, with the boss highlighting the full-back’s ‘anxiety’ after the international break. The Danish star had impressed for his nation during their World Cup qualifying campaign, netting the equaliser against Scotland in a crucial encounter.
Despite the 4-2 defeat, Amorim spotted Dorgu’s talent but admitted feeling anxious watching the youngster perform. Following United’s 1-0 defeat to Everton earlier in November, the 40-year-old said: “He needs to be calmer playing the game.
“You can feel the anxiety every time Patrick touches the ball. I can feel the anxiety. You remember the shot against Everton. That was easier than the decision he had to make [playing for Denmark] against Scotland.
“He made a great decision, and I saw it when he played in Italy. But here it is different, and sometimes the pressure is hard for them in the beginning, but he has time to improve.”
Summer signing Cunha has also experienced Amorim’s public criticism this season. The Brazilian, who arrived in June for £62.5million, struggled initially to find the net in United colours.
His breakthrough moment came against Brighton in October, when he scored in a 4-2 victory for the Red Devils at Old Trafford. However, Amorim emphasised at the time that the forward needed to prioritise the team performance over personal statistics.
When Cunha was restored to the starting lineup for United’s stalemate with West Ham earlier in December, Amorim said: “I think he has more levels to go. He is in a different club, different pressure, but I think he copes with that really well.
“He was struggling because he was not scoring and he was thinking too much about the numbers. The influence that he has in the team is so important for us, but I think Cunha has so much to grow defensively and offensively.”
Whilst Amorim isn’t shy about criticising his players throughout the campaign, it’s evident that this approach is balanced with compassion and a genuine desire to see his squad flourish.
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