Ahead of United’s trip to Brentford, United manager Ruben Amorim gave us some interesting updates on team news, what he wants to see from his team on the pitch and off it, and not knowing what to expect from his players.
Team news and there will be some absentees. We already knew of Casemiro due to his red card against Chelsea but Amorim has also confirmed that Mazraoui will be out until after the international break while Amad returned home after a family member passed away.
The manager spoke about the criticism Amad faced on social media after the Chelsea win. Amorim’s message was the same for him and all his players: “shut down social media.”
New signing Mbeumo is a player the manager is “more than happy with” whilst discussing the former Brentford player. He says that despite being a quiet guy, he does bring a light to the dressing room and that “he is always there to help us.” Amorim praised his efforts during matches mentioning how Mbeumo “runs and pressures a lot.”
On the subject of a Premier League-proven player, Amorim says that “you want to take the less risky move” considering the position United were in last season and that buying such players, while expensive, can make a difference. “It's really important to have top players in our team.”
Amorim wants to approach every game “like it’s the last one” as he tries to win back-to-back league games as United manager for the first time. He understands the frustrations of the fans and wants his team to show urgency on the pitch in order to get the results needed.
The United boss would like his side to start off the match tomorrow like they did against Chelsea and Burnley as his players displayed that urgency he wanted. He also wants to build momentum which is what they discuss at the end of matches with an emphasis on needing to win.
“To be honest, I have an idea, but I don't know how it's going to be and I'm the manager of the team.”
👆This is what Amorim said regarding what he wants to do with his team.
The Portuguese believes its not a matter of playing well as “I think we have done that” but more in trying to win matches and find that consistency but admitted that it’s normal for the fans to feel upset due to the fact that “the fans don't know what is going to happen the next game."
Final Thoughts
Disappointing team news and it’s obviously not great for Amad who’s had a really tough week. Despite me feeling upset with him, this makes things even worse. We are with you brother.
There were also updates that Mazraoui wasn’t seen in training which caused us to think that maybe he won’t be available. Those fears have come to pass and it’s a bit disappointing to see him out for a few weeks again after having just returned. We know what a difference he makes to the team as well. This will mean Dalot at RWB which adds insult to injury 😩.
I gave my full thoughts on Amad’s social media here. Really wasn’t happy with him.
I think with Mbeumo, he has been the exact type of player but also character we’ve needed at United. We know the quality he possesses but I like the fact that he seems very professional. While he may not be the most outspoken, I don’t mind that because we’ve had too many players who are too much in the limelight for the wrong reasons off the pitch.
Keeping to yourself and doing your job is what’s been required at our club for a few years. Being a PL-proven player just adds to what makes the Mbeumo transfer a flawless deal.
Cunha is another and like the manager said, given our difficult situation as a club and team, more players of this ilk was needed in order to reduce the risk of things having to take time to improve which is what happens when you sign young, up-and-comers. These type of experienced players slot into the team seamlessly whereas we’ve seen how difficult it can be for someone like Sesko while Lammens hasn’t played at all.
Check my Brentford preview here. I think this might be the game for the new goalkeeper 👀.
I’m not sure why we decided to go for these youngsters when we all knew they were risks. Clearly, Amorim knew them as well and when you look at the talk whilst the transfer window was open, it appeared as though he wanted the likes of Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins, two other experienced, PL-proven players. Even recently, there’s been more rumours of the manager wanting those two players.
This was something that many of us echoed throughout the window knowing that we cannot afford players who would take time especially because Amorim only has until June 2027 with his current contract. He would’ve been thinking about his future and knowing that he needs to turn things around fast, signing prospects for the future was perhaps not what was needed now.
Wonder who it was that made the decision to go for Sesko and Lammens.
When he says that he ‘has an idea but he doesn’t know how it’s going to be’ is a bit worrying.
He isn’t false as we all know these players are untrustworthy and this is yet another example of Amorim’s honesty, which we love, but for him to not know what he’s going to get from his players is alarming.
Having been here for almost a year, surely you would know who you can trust and who you can’t? The fact that he’s saying this almost 12 months on from his appointment is not something that makes me feel positive about the future.
We were already frustrated because of where we are as a team and club and then to hear your manager say he doesn’t know what he’s going to get ain’t great.
Amorim may finally be learning what us fans have known for many years that these players are shite but as he is the manager, you would’ve expected him to see things a lot sooner.
What are your thoughts on the team news and Amorim being unsure of what he’s going to get from his players?
Ruben Amorim | Creator: Martin Rickett - PA Images | Credit: PA Images via Getty Images - SuperSport