Ruben Amorim reportedly reacted with intense frustration in the Old Trafford dressing room following Manchester United’s 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday. The loss marked the seventh defeat in 15 games under his management and a fourth loss in five home Premier League matches.
The Portuguese manager, who succeeded Erik ten Hag in November, was visibly furious with his team’s performance. His anger reportedly culminated in him smashing a television in the dressing room, a device typically used for pre-match tactical analysis. The equipment required repair ahead of the team’s Europa League fixture against Rangers.
Amorim expressed his dissatisfaction with the team, labeling them as potentially the worst in the club’s storied history. His criticism was direct, as he emphasized the gravity of their current situation. The team’s struggles have left them languishing in 13th place in the Premier League table, an uncharacteristic position for a club of Manchester United’s stature.
In his post-match comments, Amorim did not hold back. He highlighted the unacceptable nature of the team’s poor results, stating that losing so many games is intolerable, especially for a club of Manchester United’s caliber. He acknowledged the frustration of the fans and his own disappointment, admitting that the team’s form has been breaking negative records. The manager openly acknowledged the pressure he faces, pointing out that his tenure has seen even more losses than his predecessor.
Amorim’s reputation as a composed and methodical coach has been called into question following this incident. At Sporting Lisbon, where he spent four and a half successful years and won two league titles, he was known for his calm demeanor and rarely resorted to dressing-downs after matches. However, the manner in which his team concluded Sunday’s game seemed to push him to his limits.
The manager was particularly critical of the team’s lack of discipline and structure during the closing stages of the match. A costly mistake by André Onana led to Brighton’s third goal in the 77th minute, extinguishing any hope of a late comeback similar to their previous game against Southampton. Amorim noted that players were abandoning their positions, a tactical flaw he vowed not to tolerate moving forward.
He stressed the importance of maintaining positional discipline, even in the face of defeat. The players’ apparent anxiety on the pitch has contributed to their struggles to control possession and dictate play, a key aspect of Amorim’s preferred style of football. He made it clear that such lapses in focus and composure are unacceptable and must be addressed.
Despite the challenges, Amorim remains focused on helping his players improve and regain confidence. However, the road ahead appears daunting, with both the squad and the manager under immense pressure to turn the season around. The upcoming Europa League match against Rangers provides an opportunity to rebuild momentum, but the team’s performance will need significant improvement to meet the expectations of the club and its supporters.
