The Portuguese spoke about his team and the need to get back to winning ways after suffering his first loss as United boss on Wednesday night. MUFC host a 7th placed Forest at Old Trafford tomorrow evening (17:30 GMT kickoff) in match 15 of the Premier League and will look to get the 3 points that is desperately needed.
His presser began by paying respects to the late great Kath Phipps after the United receptionist passed away yesterday after having worked for the club since 1968.
"We feel it today. It is a sad day. I met her seven years ago, she was the lady behind reception. You feel the love for her. She is an important person who represents this club; friendly, professional, taking care of everyone", says Amorim.
Tributes poured in from everyone associated with the club as players past and present sent their heartfelt condolences to a true legend of Man Utd.
Amorim has been rotating his side a lot in his four matches. He was asked whether he now knows what his best starting XI is. "More or less, yes, we have an idea, but then we have players returning and we have to manage the load."
He mentions how skipper Bruno Fernandes was "tired" after Arsenal but that he will recover whereas Manuel Ugarte "needs a little bit more time." Amorim's previous time managing the Uruguayan allows him to understand the midfielder a lot better than most of the squad.
When discussing United's league standings, the manager feels that it is "sad" to see his side languish in 13th. "It's sad because it's a very competitive league, it can change with just one result. We have to pass this phase, so i feel the same way, because before the Arsenal game you guys were asking about the top four and now we return to this position [13th]."
United had moved up to 9th after the win over Everton and were just 4 points behind the top four. The loss to Arsenal widens that gap to 7 after Man City beat tomorrow's opponents 3-0 on top of the Red Devils' defeat.
The 39-year-old wants calmness and for continuation of the job that's already being done in terms of trying to get back to winning ways.
However, he still feels that the problems that he saw against Everton in the 4-0 win were still evident in the 2-0 loss to Arsenal: "We won 4-0 against Everton but I saw so many things that were wrong. I saw the same against Arsenal."
In spite of this, the boss still believes that his players are improving.
On his squad update, Amorim says that Jonny Evans has still not returned to training and while Victor Lindelof is back training, he won't be available for tomorrow.
Final Thoughts
I think by now he should know his best XI. Four games is enough time for him to have seen which players are best suited in his system and who he can trust. He's also used almost all the players which would've given him more opportunities to see who is ideal.
I felt that he rotated a little too much against Arsenal and while he is (rightfully) concerned about the work load on his players (esepcially the returnees), he didn't have to be as careful with some. These players are used to playing every three days having done so for many years.
I'm not sure what it's like in Portugal but I doubt that it's as relentless as the Premier League. Maybe this brought out some naivity from the manager in that he thought all the players needed rotation when that is not entirely true.
He also talks about rotation and how it is important to be careful with the players but like previous managers, he keeps playing captain Bruno. We know that he is a machine but even he needs a break from time to time. Why not rotate him? The same goes for Mazraoui and De Ligt as they've started all games under Amorim as well.
He even says that Bruno was tired after Arsenal so maybe tomorrow could be the time to rest him? He does have options in the number 10 position with Mount, Eriksen, Amad, Zirkzee and as we've seen, he picks Rashford and Garnacho in there as well.
Saying that Ugarte needs more time to rest all but confirms to me that he won't be starting. Is that a good thing? We look much better with him holding the midfield than with Casemiro.
It is difficult to see where we are in the table but that is the reality. The sooner we accept it the better. We just have to find some consistency and we will be a lot better for it.
That is easier said than done because like Amorim says, one game can change a lot. 4 points to 7 in terms of that gap to top 4 in just one game makes such a big difference and is a huge psychological blow. This is why we have to go out there tomorrow and give it everything as the 3 points are desperately needed. Forest are 3 ahead of us as well.
I never knew nor met Kath Phipps but from what we can see from all her tributes, she was one fine lady and a great soul. To be working at the club for 55 years! she really had seen it all.
Rest in paradise lady Kath 🕊.
Background Image: Ruben Amorim | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)