‘Same players doing worse with a new coach’

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim doubled down on his claims that he is coaching the worst team in the club’s history.

The former Sporting boss caused a stir in the media last week after slamming his players, suggesting they have gone backwards since he took over.

And Amorim has been at it again ahead of United’s game against Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday, but admits he was referring to himself in the previous comments rather than his squad.

He said: “I was talking more for myself than for my players because it is hard to find a coach that has lost seven games in their first 10. It is more for me.

“Every time you [the press] push about the players not being good enough, so I understand that I gave you that headline.

“I am frustrated sometimes and I shouldn’t say things in those terms but it is what it is. Sometimes it is really hard to hide the frustration. The good thing is I said the same things in the dressing room five minutes before.

“The response was normal because I am really blunt with my players. They have trained well and they are ready for this game.

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I am not taking responsibility away from the players. What I am saying is, the message you guys showed is that I was putting it on the players. What I am saying is, you have to look really hard to find a Manchester United team that in 10 games lost seven of them, and that is on me.”

Same players different coach

Erik ten Hag left United languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table when he was dismissed and Amorim has not managed to move the Red Devils out of that position.

Despite positive wins against the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal, there have also been concerning losses to Wolves and Brighton.

Amorim is aware of the situation and added: “It is the same players doing worse with a new coach. That is my only concern at the moment. I am not taking responsibility away from the players but we need to improve in the details and I’ve explained that.

“The way we play, we are too nervous with the ball. It wasn’t the best point to make after that loss but it is what is is and I am like that all the time. I am really direct with things and I am saying in this moment, we are performing really bad and our results are really bad.

“It is everything together – the players, the staff, the technical staff. I am the biggest one responsible because I am the coach.

“Imagine that tomorrow we don’t suffer an early goal and we score and we play well and then we go to Fulham and win it – that will change – even the environment here. Everything. I don’t want to say it’s going to take a lot of time but it is getting really hard. It is really hard for everybody. I don’t know if we can change that tomorrow.

 “If you want I can be delusional and say different things. I say it as I see it. I said it to the players and I said it to you – I think it’s a good thing to be really honest. If you want me to say different things, I can start to do that because it is easier for me. If you are in the stadium you can feel it but I am not nervous, I am frustrated.”