Ruben Amorim has warned that difficult days remain for Manchester United and they will be “found out” in some games. The Portuguese coach predicted “there will be a storm” as he tries to put his stamp on the team.
Amorim guided United to a draw at Ipswich and have achieved back-to-back wins over Bodo/Glimt and Everton since Erik ten Hag took charge. But he now faces his biggest test yet when he faces title hopefuls Arsenal away on Wednesday night.
A win for United at the Emirates Stadium would see them move three points behind the Gunners, but Amorim believes it would be wrong to compare his side to Arsenal.
“I would like to say something else, but I have to say it again: a storm is coming,” Amorim said of his side’s progress.
“We will have difficult moments and some games will show us and I know that, because I know my players and I know football, so I understand the differences between teams. That’s what we’re putting into the team, without any training.
“Against Everton, they were changing their build-up. They are a very good team and we had a lot of problems because you can call the captain one thing and he can’t change it. We are not trained for this.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton
“So let’s focus on each game, our performance and what we need to improve to win. That’s the focus. I know it’s difficult to be the manager of Manchester United and say this in a press conference.”
“We always want to win no matter what. We will try to win. But if you compare us to Arsenal, we know we are in a different spot. That is it. We will try to win and go. But we know we have to play very well to win our next football game.”
‘I might not get the same minutes as Arteta’
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
“It wasn’t a ‘historic game’,” Clinton Morrison said after Manchester United’s 4-0 win over Everton last weekend, adding he still doesn’t believe Manchester United can finish in the top four of the Premier League this season.
Amorim also believes Mikel Arteta, his Arsenal counterpart from a few seasons ago, may not have enough time or patience to change United.
Arteta’s job security has been under threat as Arsenal undergo a renaissance from bottom half of the table to title challengers.
In his first full season in 2020-21, Arteta took Arsenal just outside the relegation zone at Christmas, before the Gunners started the following season with three successive defeats without scoring.
Second-placed Arsenal now play alongside Manchester United, looking to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool, who have nine points.
“It’s truly amazing. Sometimes coaches are judged only by their titles, but I think what he has done at Arsenal is incredible. He has transformed the team,” Amorim said of Arteta.
“He has brought in young players who are showing great talent in this country right now. Having watched this league for a long time, I want to have the same mindset even in difficult moments. Those are good qualities in Mikel, so I think he is doing a great job. “
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Mikel Arteta praises Bukayo Saka’s desire to continue improving and responds to a question comparing the winger’s output to Cristiano Ronaldo.
Asked whether Arsenal are being rewarded for keeping faith in Arteta, the new United boss said: “For a coach, it’s always important to have confidence.
“But we have to admit that Manchester United are a little different. You are always focused on this and we know that sometimes it may not be possible to have all that time.
“So we’re going to try to manage that and get things done a little faster, because we know there’s a ton of interest and judgment going on here every day.”
Arteta: Losing to Amorim two years ago meant nothing
Amorim’s Sporting beat Arsenal in the Europa League knockout stages last year.
Arteta’s only previous meeting with Amorim was two seasons ago when his Arsenal team lost on penalties to Sporting CP in the round of 16 of the Europa League.
Asked about Amorim’s start to life in Manchester, Arteta said: “You can see his fingerprints right away. He’s very clear.”
“He was very successful at Sporting. What he has achieved there after so many years, and especially the way he has done it, is amazing.
“It brings energy and new ideas to the club and players. That’s always a positive thing, but we have to stay focused on what we need to do.”
Asked if he wanted revenge on Amorim after Arsenal lost in European competition two seasons ago, Arteta replied: “It’s not revenge. In football it’s about another chance.”
“It will be very different. We played Sporting last week and it was very different to two years ago. It makes no sense.”
