Ruben Amorim reveals the key to lifting out-of-sorts Man United and his plan to help his team this summer
Ruben Amorim believes the secret to lifting Manchester United out of the doldrums is team bonding – and the chance for the players to see him stress-free.
Amorim has been fighting fires from the moment he replaced Erik ten Hag in November without the benefit of a pre-season to get to know his squad.
Despite Thursday’s Europa League win over Rangers, the 39-year-old has often cut a frustrated figure after losing seven of his 16 games in charge.
Amorim hit a hit a low point following Sunday’s defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford when he described United as possibly the worst team in the club’s history and damaged a television during a dressing-room rant.
The Portuguese coach insists the benefit of a summer tour, with time to train and get to know each other off the pitch, is invaluable for any team.
United are planning a post-season trip to Malaysia in May, and will tour the US again in July when they headline a Premier League Summer Series.
Ruben Amorim has pinpointed how he can help Manchester United come together
Bruno Fernandes’ late winner against Rangers was a key moment in a tough spell for the side
Pre-season would give head coach Amorim three precious weeks working with his squad
‘I think we need that to get that feeling of belonging,’ said Amorim. ‘For that, we also need time to train and to stay together because that is really important.
‘We don’t have that. I don’t know the name here, internship. Like sleeping before the matches. Sometimes, that detail is really important.
‘Pre-season, spending three weeks together, creating something. And then you want to create something new with the players.
‘I want them to know me in a different way, not always preparing the matches with stress. We don’t have the time to do that.
‘I think it’s really important and I think it’s the secret of teams. Even when you have the best players, if you don’t you have that feeling it’s really hard to win so I want to build something like that here. But we need time for that.’
At least United’s win over Rangers has boosted their hopes of a top-eight finish in the Europa League ahead of next week’s final group game against Steaua Bucharest.
It would mean they don’t have to play a play-off to qualify for the last 16, reducing the schedule by two games and giving Amorim more time to work with his players.
