Manchester United triumphed over Southampton with a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford, thanks to Amad Diallo's remarkable 12-minute hat-trick. Despite the win, manager Ruben Amorim acknowledged that his team did not perform at their best. The victory came after Southampton took an unexpected lead late in the first half due to an own goal by Manuel Ugarte, who was visibly fatigued during the match. This win keeps Manchester United in 12th place in the Premier League standings.
Amorim, who assumed the managerial role in November following Erik ten Hag's departure, is navigating through a challenging period for the club. He had previously predicted a difficult phase, saying a "storm will come" after a series of losses. Despite these challenges, he remains focused on improving the team's performance and believes that the season will be a "rollercoaster" ride.
“I think it’s going to be hard until the end of the season,” – Ruben Amorim
“It’s going to be a little bit that rollercoaster. Then it depends on the time you have to train. We are still in the [FA] Cup and we have UEFA games for the Europa League.” – Ruben Amorim
Amorim's tactical adjustments will be crucial as Manchester United prepares to host Brighton on Sunday. Brighton is poised to make history by becoming only the second team to win three consecutive away matches against Manchester United in the Premier League if they secure a victory. Brighton has been successful in five of their last six encounters against Manchester United, adding pressure to Amorim and his squad.
The manager highlighted the impact of player fatigue, particularly referencing Manuel Ugarte's performance. Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo were substituted against Southampton due to tiredness, a situation Amorim attributes to the demanding schedule.
“You [the media] are focused on what I said about Ugarte,” – Ruben Amorim
“Ugarte was tired because he did a great job against Liverpool. If you look at the game against Arsenal, maybe Ugarte and Bruno [Fernandes] were the best players against Liverpool. They didn’t play against Newcastle. I think that happens with all players in the Premier League.” – Ruben Amorim
The absence of key players such as Mason Mount and Luke Shaw due to injuries further complicates Manchester United's preparations. However, Diogo Dalot will rejoin the squad after serving a one-match suspension, providing some relief for Amorim.
Amorim has faced significant challenges since taking over, including limited training opportunities with his squad. He expressed the difficulty of managing with insufficient time for training amidst a packed schedule of matches.
“We had seven trainings together in 14, 15 games. It’s really hard, but we have to continue and try to win it. Sometimes playing good, sometimes playing bad.” – Ruben Amorim
