Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim insists his side have bigger problems than Manchester City despite their rivals’ dominant form.
City hosting United live on sky With a 4.30pm kick-off on Sunday, they are experiencing their worst form since Pep Guardiola took control of the club in 2016.
The Premier League champions have won just once in their last 10 games in all competitions, while also losing five in a row.
After a poor start under new manager Amorim, United’s fortunes have only improved slightly. The Reds have lost their last two Premier League games against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest but beat Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday to give Amorim their third win in six games. But despite City’s problems, Amorim believes they are still a threat.
Sunday, December 15th at 4pm
Kickoff at 4:30 PM
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Sky Sports’ Peter Smith explains why United manager Ruben Amorim has repeatedly overhauled his starting XI line-up.
“They are so good at what they do that they can change this momentum at any time,” Amorim said. sky sports.
“They are a very strong team who have worked together for many years. They have won a lot, but they have also lost a lot. We have bigger problems because we are doing simple things, but we want to win like Manchester City.”
“Neither team is having their best moment of the season, but it’s always a derby and it’s a game we want to win.”
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Speaking on NBC Sports, Gary Neville said changing the rotation, particularly the backline, would not help solve United’s problems.
Amorim earned his first scalp as Sporting manager against Guardiola City in November. Sporting won 4-1 against City in the Champions League, making it their third consecutive loss during the winless period.
But for Amorim, Sporting’s win has no impact on the derby. Instead, the United manager is relishing the opportunity to see how his side react to the atmosphere of the big match.
“We can’t take much advantage of that (sports) game, but it’s helped us understand the game and make it feel really close,” he said.
“We have so much to do, not just the games, but we are looking at the way we are going to play. I am excited to see our players in action in these types of games and learn a lot about them. “
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On the Transfer Talk podcast, Sam Tighe explains how United’s budget shortfall is not an issue, given Ruben Amorim’s history of improving players and ‘fitting square pegs into round holes’.
Amorim begins his first month in charge at Old Trafford after nine games in 30 days. With little training time to teach the system change, Amorim reiterated the need for patience during the club’s transition period.
“This should be like preseason, getting to know the players, but we do this in competition,” Amorim said.
“There are always surprises. You have an idea of a player and there is one or two surprises, good and bad.
“I already know it is a big deal. It will take time. Forget me as a coach. The club needs time. That is the important thing for everyone to understand and we have to focus on every detail. Not only the results. “I want to win, but I need to improve a lot,” he said.
Merson: Manchester United could cause problems in City’s ‘biggest game’
Paul Merson has labeled Sunday’s Manchester derby City’s “biggest game ever” but believes Manchester United have a chance to pull off a comeback.
“It wasn’t City’s biggest game in years,” Merson said. “No disrespect to Manchester United, but games against Arsenal or Liverpool were their biggest games.
“But this weekend is their biggest football game – it’s a huge cup final.
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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted it will be difficult for the team to play without Rodri.
“Manchester United kept Arsenal very quiet at the Emirates a few weeks ago and I think they have a chance if they can do that this weekend. I would go for (Marcus) Rashford, Amad (Diallo) and (Alejandro) Garnacho. ” Forward and speed of play, skill and cunning.
“There is not much power between the three, but they have the counter-attacking speed to cause big problems for Manchester City. If things continue like this, I think Manchester City will have a difficult day.”
“But I have never played against Manchester City before, not even in this game. They have too many good players.”
Raider: Amorim’s Blueprint for Dominating the City
Man Utd look set to profit on the counter, writes Nick Wright in his weekly analysis column.
Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:
Manchester United go into the Etihad Stadium as underdogs despite Manchester City’s dismal performance. But Ruben Amorim knows what it takes to beat them. It was only last month that he scored in a 4-1 win over Pep Guardiola’s men in the Champions League.
His Sporting side were one of the first to exploit Manchester City’s weaknesses this season. Without Rodri, he targeted the soft center and, spearheaded by the destructive Viktor Gyoceres, used a quick, direct attack to tear it apart and eventually achieve a hat-trick.
According to Opta, Manchester City have conceded 47 fast breaks in all competitions this season. Amazingly, that’s almost 70% more than any other Premier League team. They also ranked first in shots faced (41) and goals given up on fast breaks (6).
Without the right level of physical dynamism among the available midfield options, Guardiola appears unable to solve the problem. An example of this was an aging Ilkay Gundogan failing to even get close to Weston McKennie as he set up Juventus’ second goal.
Breaking the low block was once described by Guardiola’s long-time rival Jurgen Klopp as “the most difficult task” in football, but it’s something Manchester City are facing with increasing frequency as opponents tighten their defenses to frustrate them. .
It’s not hard to imagine how Manchester United will prepare. Amorim’s back three aim to absorb pressure and frustrate Manchester City, with Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and the rest waiting for their chance to spring forward on the counter. ..
