Ruben Amorim has branded his Manchester United team as possibly the worst in the club’s history following a 3-1 defeat to Brighton, which left the team in 13th place with 26 points. This result, which came after a string of disappointing performances, led to United fans booing the team off the pitch at Old Trafford. The loss marked United’s sixth home league defeat of the season, the most in their opening 12 home matches since the 1893-94 campaign, 131 years ago.
Amorim, who replaced Erik ten Hag in the autumn, acknowledged the team’s struggles, reflecting on his record of two wins from 10 Premier League games. “We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United,” he admitted. “I know you want headlines, but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that.” Despite the team’s poor form, Amorim remained resolute, emphasizing the need for change. “We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that,” he said. “I am not going to change [his 3-4-3 system], no matter what. I know we can succeed but we need to survive this moment.”
The manager also pointed to collective underperformance as the main issue, stating that everyone at the club, from players to staff, was to blame for the team’s dire situation. “It’s hard to explain, we have to acknowledge the moment and not go around the problem,” he said. “Everybody here is underperforming, no matter what the circumstances, we are underperforming and have to accept that.” This defeat was Amorim’s seventh in 15 matches in charge, a record that he described as “unacceptable” for any Premier League club, particularly one of Manchester United’s stature.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Amorim remains determined to continue with his methods. “It’s a really hard moment but we have to continue, we have to continue, there is no other way. We need to suffer and continue,” he added. The manager also discussed the challenges his players are facing in adapting to his system, noting that they are struggling with a lack of confidence. “They are used to different things,” he explained. “Then sometimes you have one team that almost wins the league and then the next season is really bad without confidence. Our players are really nervous. If I feel it the players feel it a lot. The only way is to continue to win games.”
One notable absentee from the squad was Marcus Rashford, who was once again omitted from the matchday 20. Amorim had previously stated that Rashford was left out for “training reasons,” and when asked if he felt let down by the forward’s absence, the manager was firm. “No. It is his choice,” he said. “I don’t want to focus on this bad moment [and say]: ‘In this game we lost [because] Rashford is not here.’ Rashford is out of this moment. I am not going to put a player I don’t believe is the best for the team.”
Brighton’s goals came from Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, and Georginio Rutter, with Bruno Fernandes scoring United’s only goal.
