Manchester United's manager, Ruben Amorim, has issued a stern message to his squad, declaring that the historic club must operate with a 'no excuses' mentality amidst a challenging period. The Portuguese coach is feeling the heat following a disappointing home loss to Everton.
Pressure Mounts at Old Trafford
The English giants have endured a turbulent start to the current campaign, finding themselves in 10th place in the Premier League table. After a poor first season under Amorim, the team showed signs of life with three consecutive wins, but momentum has stalled. United recently squandered leads in 2-2 draws with Nottingham Forest and Tottenham, failing to secure victories from winning positions.
The situation worsened with a 1-0 defeat at home to a 10-man Everton side this past Monday. This result has significantly increased the pressure on Amorim and his players as they prepare for a difficult away fixture.
A Crucial London Test Against In-Form Palace
United's next challenge is a trip to London to face a Crystal Palace team that started the weekend in 6th place, four spots above the Red Devils. Under manager Oliver Glasner, Palace have made impressive strides, culminating in a historic FA Cup triumph in May.
Amorim is familiar with Glasner's tactics, having faced him in the Champions League when Amorim was in charge of Sporting Lisbon and Glasner managed Eintracht Frankfurt. 'I played against him in Frankfurt with Sporting, so I know the play,' Amorim stated. 'I take inspiration from everyone... I'm always trying to learn to improve my team.'
United will be without key players Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko, and Harry Maguire for the Sunday match, adding to the team's selection headaches.
Amorim's Firm Stance on Expectations
When questioned if this is the type of match United should be winning, Amorim was unequivocal. He reflected on the constant demand for success at Old Trafford, a pressure that existed last season and persists now, even without the distraction of European football.
'In our club it's the same thing because last year we had to win every game all the time,' Amorim said. 'We took a lot of things, a lot of criticism because we were not winning, so in our club there is no excuses. I said the same thing last year... so there is no excuses. Last year or this year we have always to win games.'
Expressing his frustration with the team's league position, Amorim admitted his disappointment, pointing to dropped points from winning situations. 'I think if I look at the games we should have more points... we had the advantage in some games, and we lost that control. That is really disappointing and really frustrating, especially the last game.'
As Manchester United travels to face an organized Crystal Palace side, Amorim's 'no excuses' mantra will be put to the ultimate test. The result could prove pivotal for the team's morale and their manager's future.
