However, the Portuguese coach managed to lighten the pressure after the crucial victory of his 2-0 team against Sunderland at Old Trafford. Goals from Mason Mount and Benjamin Šeško offered United his third victory for the season, allowing him to go back to the eighth place in the Premier League classification, equal points with his local rival, Manchester City, despite an additional match.
This result was a welcome relief for Amorim, which discussed the meeting with a lamentable assessment of only 34 points in 33 games since taking office.
Players gathering around the coach
This victory was not summed up at the three points; It was also a visible demonstration of the team's support to their manager in difficulty. Midfielder Mason Mount, author of the opening of the scoring in the eighth minute, did not fail to display his support for the Portuguese in his post-match statements.
“We support the coach 100 %,” said Mounts to journalists. “We have experienced results that hurt us – team, staff and supporters – but it was important today. »»
Mount hopes that this victory will be the catalyst for a great series, recognizing the irregularities of the team. “It is necessary,” he insisted. “” After Chelsea, we thought it would be the beginning of something, then we go to Brentford and we get a disappointing result. It starts today and we're going to work hard during the truce. We want to chain two victories, then three in a row, and aim for the top 4. ”
Manchester United towards a renewal?
Amorim himself said that players' support was reflected in their performance on the field. It was particularly satisfied with the team's cohesion, even when the intensity fell in the second half. “We did not play well throughout the match, but we had our moments. If we look at our performance, it was a collective performance, “he said. “There was concentration, a good defense, we tried to kill the match in the second period. So I'm satisfied with it and now we are going on. »»
Asked about the support received, the coach has been frank, stressing that his players no doubt felt tired of the incessant changes of coaches to the club. Amorim is the sixth permanent coach of United since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.
“” I saw today and I know that they want to do their best and that they do not want to change the coach permanently ”he admitted. He then stressed that supporting the coach required concrete efforts: “Being alongside the coach is to say:” I will give myself the full to be present with each transition “. We must show it by concrete actions, and sometimes, when we look at our team, I know full well that at the end of the matches, they know that we can sometimes do better. So I feel it this week, but we have to demonstrate it in the field, not only at home, but also outside. ”
A strong point of this victory was the impressive beginnings of the keeper Senne Lammens, who made his first appearance under the colors of the Red Devils since his arrival from the Royal Antwerp, the day of the transfer of transfers.
Amorim praised the Belgian composure, attributing his solid performance in part to the team's collective effort. “He seemed confident in the first game, but the important thing is that the teammates helped Senne make a good game. Everyone was focused. There were not many mistakes against a team that was really comfortable in football, so we played well collectively. »»
The manager also took the time to explain why Lammens had to wait to make his debut despite the difficulties encountered by the experienced goalkeeper Altay Bayindir. Amorim underlined the necessary period of adaptation of the new recruit.
“When Senne arrived here, Altay was already playing, then he arrives and we feel that he needs to adapt: ​​new country, new training”he said. He recognized the immense pressure linked to this post at Old Trafford. “You put a huge pressure on the goalkeeper, so it was a small preparation so that he was ready to start his first game.”
In the end, Amorim was satisfied with the result, but warned against any complacency. “It's just a match and he has to work, he has to prepare for it to be very difficult in our club, but he played well and, once again, he was comfortable during the match. It's a very good sign. »»
