With 38 points, they were 13th in their table. They are closer to Wolves, 17th, who are only six points behind, than to the top half, which includes 10th-placed Bournemouth with 45 points.
Neville said, “They are micromanaged to the last inch of their lives. That game was robotic and quite symptomatic of many games we watch today.” “It is not good enough.” I’m disappointed.
Amorim acknowledged the comments were not unwarranted, given United’s recent performances.
He said to Sky Sports that “in this game, the fans are watching the games, and in our time, with the season we are having, we have accept it, and this is fair.”
Sometimes, at the end of a game, you do not like it because they are talking about the players.
But then, a day later, you understand. It’s fair and I understand what he’s saying.”
United have failed to score in eight Premier League matches since Amorim took over in November last year, with only relegation-certainties Leicester City failing to score in more games (13 for Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side).
Despite United’s poor numbers and lackluster momentum heading into the final months of the season, Amorim insists that his team is adapting to modern progression in the game and the tactical structure has become fundamental to success.
The game is different. You have to be good at your base, and then the individual aspect and freedom and fluidity of the match will appear. “But, for that, we need time,” said he.
You can like it or dislike it, but there was a evolution because you had all the games of the opponent’s details, from your departments so you could understand better the moves that they made.
In that evolution, you need to be more tactically aware. Sometimes I talk to Fletcher about how he prepared games with Sir Alex Ferguson. It’s a completely different experience.
There was more of a feeling and that aspect of individual talent. I think that today, it is not enough. You can see some of best teams.
We cannot win games as I said, with the individual aspect. Let the players do what they feel. The 39-year old said, “I don’t think of the game that way.”
I see the game differently and again, today, they know all about our players. The opponent knows every detail, including the way [Alejandro] Garnacho uses the right foot to the left.
We need to know how to play together as a team before we can expect our individual parts to help. It is important to remember that in the end it is this crucial aspect of the game which will make a difference.
Sometimes we lack the creativity in the final third, and sometimes the quality. When I speak of quality, what I mean is not only the individual quality but also the understanding of the final third.
I want both, because I want people to be entertained, but I also want to see my team defend like they did in this game.
United will now focus on the Europa League quarter-finals, where they will face Lyon. Amorim’s and United’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League rest on their performance in Europe.
The first leg will be played in France on Thursday, followed by a match against Newcastle United the following weekend. The second leg is scheduled to take place at Old Trafford the following week.
