Ruben Amorim and fellow Portuguese Diogo Dalot spoke to the media ahead of what is the biggest game of the season. As United prepare to face Lyon in the quarter final first leg of the Europa League, the United boss admits that this competition is really important.
Amorim says that while Mainoo is back in training, they will have to be careful with him considering he's been out for a while. He does say though that they are "really happy" to have him back.
Bad news that De Ligt still has an issue he suffered from the Forest defeat and will be out and so is Collyer.
The United boss said that Mainoo is versatile and can do a job across the midfield and even further forward as he has been used as a no 10 and even striker occasionally.
While Amorim does see a lot of talent in the youngster, he says that maybe the way he sees that talent "could be wrong." He mentioned how Mainoo needs to improve in certain areas like keeping up with the pace of the game as well as improve that build up play.
The United manager confirmed that Onana will start in goal despite the return of Bayindir who has been the cup goalkeeper this season.
When it came to those comments between Matic and Onana, Amorim says that when reading the full quote, it's different to what was being highlighted and that something like this won't really affect the players.
Ruben was explaining that all Onana was doing was trying to boost the confidence and motivate his teammates given how important this game is. He also keeps saying that Matic didn't hear the full quote and only heard a bit of it causing him to say what he said about Onana.
The MUFC manager gave an insight into Lyon tactically saying that they are a side who bases their game on possession and that they are quite physical and fast. Lyon, under their own Portuguese manager Paulo Fonseca (who is banned for 9 months after a confrontation with a French official), have been scoring more and conceding less and will provide United with a different challenge to Real Sociedad.
Amorim reveals that he has maintained that optimism from his playing days, something Matic mentioned in an interview when the two played together at Benfica.
Ruben Amorim says that the Europa League is really important and that potentially lifting a European trophy is "massive for our confidence." He then talks about how it can be important for the future as well as winning this tournament means Champions League football. It can also affect the transfer window and the business the club does.
However, he does interestingly admit that not winning the Europa League is "not the biggest problem at Manchester United" and that they have "other strengths" to get what they need even without playing in Europe's elite club competition.
There was a lot of criticism after the derby as it ended up being 0-0. Dalot was asked whether there was a lack of intensity in that game and if that intensity rose during the week.
He answered that as a player "it was a really intense game." He adds that they fought really had and gave their best to try and win yet that there was a lot of respect between the sides in that a small error could decide the result.
Dalot says that United were compact and that is something that "we've been improving a lot" and that United did create enough opportunities to win the match.
Amorim says that why it might be easier for his players to adapt to his system in Europe is because of the pace and physicality of the games and it has nothing to do with tactics. The intensity in the Premier League is much higher than in the Europa League.
Final Thoughts
Mainoo is a top talent, we all know this. He is also versatile, that is true as well. The problem with him this season especially under Amorim is that he just hasn't been able to fit into his system as well as we all would've liked. His performances have been subpar and he picks up an injury every now and then, which isn't a good thing.
As he is 19 though, there is still time to develop and I found it interesting that Amorim says he needs to improve his pace with the game. Not so long ago, there was a report that came out talking about just this so it clearly is a problem of the midfielder's.
He does need to improve that part of his game because he can be a little sluggish and slow particularly when tracking back. While he can play in different positions, with the way some players are performing (Bruno, Zirkzee, Casemiro, Ugarte) and with the return of Mount, it will be difficult for him to get in this team.
I love the back and forth between players and managers. I think it makes things more exciting and raises the blood pressure a little. It's also not something we see anymore in the game as everyone has become too nice.
Whether the full quote was read or not, I think it just makes for a more interesting game knowing that the two players could be at each other on the pitch.
Seeing players have a go at each other whether on the field or a war of words is a good thing. It should spice things up. We need to see more of this.
Let's be real, it really is Europa or bust. If we don't win this competition, we're screwed. As much as Amorim can say it isn't the biggest problem at the club (which it may not be), we know that it would be such a massive boost for this group of players and the future should we win it.
I think we're all tired of playing Thursday nights but I tell you it's a hell of a lot better than not playing in Europe at all. That is what will happen if we don't lift this trophy.
While they may have their plans on how to get what's needed for next season, it won't do much good to attract the players that will truly get us to where we want to be.
As we've seen in the news, United are linked to a lot of young players who at this point in their career, may not be what is needed for us to reach that next level, at least not now. Amorim keeps mentioning how the ultimate goal is to win the league but should we keep buying youngsters we won't get there and maybe he won't even be here in a few years time.
The budget will also increase with winning the EL and that can help us too as you know how we're struggling financially.
Of course when you see 0-0, you think it was boring, and to an extent, the derby was. But when you're a player, that intensity will be there and it won't be boring.
But what I like and agree with Dalot was when he said we are improving defensively. That is true because when looking at the last seven games, United have conceded just 5 whereas in the previous seven, we conceded 8. We've also managed to keep 2 clean sheets in our last three showing that there has been improvements at the back.
Ruben Amorim: Creator: Emilio Andreoli | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2024 Getty Images via Man Utd News