The Portuguese will be hoping for a response from his team after a terrible and deflating defeat to Brighton last time out to which he had some interesting responses.
Ruben Amorim clarifies that his post-match comments after the Brighton defeat was more on him rather than his players when he said that this is perhaps the worst team in United's history.
He also says that he is "frustrated" and can sometimes speak out of term because of it. "It is what it is."
The United boss adds that he said the same thing in the dressing room but in a different manner just 5 minutes before he spoke to the media on Sunday. The response he's received from his players since then has been good as "they trained well and are ready for this game [Rangers]."
Harry Maguire said that after Sunday's defeat, the players were also frustrated and disappointed and that it's about taking the responsibility as an individual.
The defender's form has improved greatly since being stripped off the captaincy by Erik ten Hag last season with many indicating that this was the turning point in that form.
Maguire replies that he does consider himself one of the leaders and again mentions how it's about taking the responsibility as a player. He says that players and captains of the past like Wayne Rooney and David Beckham had a lot of scrutiny on them but they were still "world class" and that this scrutiny is "part and parcel of playing for this club."
Joshua Zirkzee received similar scrutiny to Maguire during United's 2-0 loss to Newcastle a few weeks ago and Maguire says that he sent him a private message after the match regarding the situation. He adds that the forward is a good player and wouldn't be at this club if he wasn't.
Maguire also praised Zirkzee's recent form and speaks about how scoring the winning penalty would've boosted his confidence but finished off by saying that "ultimately, we haven't been good enough."
The former captain was also asked to explain why despite having top players, United aren't a top team. He answers by saying that if he knew, "we would change it straight away."
The theme with Maguire seems to be that the players have to take the responsibility as he again says that it's on them.
Manager Ruben Amorim was asked to explain who takes the responsibility for United's poor form as he says it's on him as a manager while Maguire is saying it's on them as players.
The Portuguese replied that after his comments about this being the worst United team in history, wasn't because the players are poor quality but rather, when looking at his time in charge, "it's hard to find a Manchester United team that in ten games, lose seven games" and that as a coach, he takes the responsibility for that poor record as it is the same players performing badly with a new coach.
The boss says that to improve, his side have to be better with the ball as they are "too nervous" in possession and that when you're in a difficult situation, "it's really hard to go up" even more so when you're a massive club.
Amorim takes the biggest responsibility for the "really bad" performances and results despite everyone having to take a collective responsibility.
"We are more nervous playing at home than away" said the MUFC boss after he was asked about whether his side display more anxiety at Old Trafford. He believes that his side can improve after four losses in five at home but they need to start games off much better as in three of those, United conceded a goal within 5 minutes which then "makes it really hard to calm down the team."
If United can score first, the 39-year-old feels that things will change and they will play better at home.
Amorim was asked if things could get worse considering not so long ago, he said 'a storm is coming.' However, improvement in the next game could change things for the better and that should he side start off well, get the first goal and perform, confidence will increase and the environment at the club will get better.
While he wants it to get better sooner rather than later, there are still no guarantees as "it's getting really hard."
Maguire was asked to reply about his manager's comments about the team being nervous when playing at home and in possession to which the centre-back replied that it's not that teams are outplaying United but that MUFC give away a goal. Stopping the opposition scoring the opener is the "first and foremost thing."
The defender says that focus is important when it comes to the goals United are conceding because a lot of them come from set-pieces and that these fine margins can make a difference.
Reports came out yesterday that Amorim was furious with the performance after Brighton and destroyed some equipment in the dressing room which goes against what he usually does which is stay calm, not speak and talk about the game the next day.
He replied to why he changed his method by saying "I'm a young guy" but felt he needed to speak after the Brighton loss. "Maybe it was a mistake" for him to talk in the dressing room which made him "nervous" and caused him to be more nervous when doing his post-match presser to which he gave that headline of this United possibly being the worst in history.
He also added that he doesn't promise that he won't do it again 👀.
The manager was asked about the Garnacho situation and if he were to be sold how important is it to invest that money? The Portuguese replied by saying that transfers is not something that he wants to talk about especially before a game as the focus is on Rangers.
On the opponents, Maguire believes that it will be a difficult game in which Rangers will give everything and have the backing of great support.
Amorim agrees with his defender that it will be a tough match but reiterated that he wants to win in order to avoid having to play the play-off round to qualify for the round of 16. If United get the 3 points, they will automatically qualify for that RO16.
Final Thoughts
I guess those comments could be misinterpreted as I think we all thought he was talking about the players, which if he was or at least to some extent, who would disagree? They were shit and have been for a long time and nobody disliked that statement showing that a lot of the fans were thinking the same thing.
But we have been very poor under Amorim which as the record is seven losses in his 15 matches so far, almost half his games have ended in defeat with several coming at home. So this statement is perhaps more true in this sense rather than directing it solely at the players.
I also believe that clarifying this was to protect his players a little and not make them feel as bad as perhaps they might have done upon hearing this comment for the first time.
Amorim saying that he is a young guy and that sometimes emotions can get the better of him, is something shared by everyone, young or old. Yes, the older people may have learned to calm their emotions before saying what he said but it's impossible to keep it bottled in when things are this bad.
This anger and frustration causing him to say what he said was something that I don't think anyone can put against him because we can all say and do things in the heat of the moment. I'm sure he'll learn from this although that final statement of it could happen again makes me think that Sir Jim should be ready to buy another TV sooner rather than later 🤣.
To me, from watching the presser, I felt that the manager was still seething and anything could've set him off again. The way he was rubbing his hands and how intently he stared at the journalists at times indicated that there was a lot boiling under the collar of the Portuguese.
There are no guarantees that things could get better or worse. While one game can change things for the better, we saw this at Liverpool and Arsenal where we were really good but in the following two matches against lesser opponents and at home, we really struggled and in the end, got just one scraped win over the Saints and a deserved defeat to Brighton.
How is that possible?
What it looks like is that we keep heading from one storm to another. There are sometimes brief periods of respite but ultimately, another hurricane is on the horizon.
I get that he has to be positive and say that one game can change things for the good but I'm sure he felt that after the derby win. We then lost four in a row. Anfield and the Emirates didn't change anything either.
His job is so difficult because he's obviously trying his hardest but it seems to not be getting him anywhere and he can only do so much as a coach. Those players then do have to take that responsibilty and he also needs the backing from the board, which we know he isn't getting at the moment.
The manager can only do so much but once they step out onto the pitch, it is all on the players. The execution of the manager's plans, keeping their focus and playing well is up to them as individuals but also a team.
We know that these players don't have that focus from the start which is why we see so many goals conceded so early in games and why we panic and go on to lose.
Background Image: Ruben Amorim was seething after Man Utd's loss to Brighton | Image credit: Getty Images via Goal