November 25th 2024.
Manchester United's new manager, Ruben Amorim, had a stern warning for his players following their 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town on Sunday. He believes that they will have to endure some struggles this season, and that they must be prepared to face them head-on.
However, despite the draw, there were some positive aspects to take away from the game. Amorim was pleased with the performance of Noussair Mazraoui, who he believes will play a crucial role in the team. The versatile defender, who joined United from Bayern Munich over the summer, impressed in his new position as part of a back three.
"Mazraoui is so smart," Amorim praised in an interview with Premier League Productions. "He can play anywhere and that kind of player is crucial for our future."
But while Amorim was pleased with some aspects of the game, he also acknowledged that there will be some struggles ahead. In his post-match press conference, he warned that the team will have to endure some difficulties as they adapt to his new system, which is different from the one used by the previous manager, Erik ten Hag.
"I know it can be frustrating for the fans, but we are going through a lot of changes at the moment, with a busy schedule of games," Amorim explained. "We will have to suffer for a while, but we will keep trying to win and improve. It will take time to adjust. We could have won today, but we also could have lost if not for [goalkeeper] Andre Onana's excellent save."
Meanwhile, former United player Roy Keane had a different perspective on the team's performance. He believes that the squad lacks the quality needed to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League this season. The draw against Ipswich leaves United in 12th place, six points behind fourth-placed Arsenal.
"We saw the shape of the team, but it's the same players and the same problems," Keane commented during a post-match analysis on Sky Sports. "They have been talking about these issues for a while now. The lack of goals and quality in the second half was concerning. Ipswich looked like the better team. It's only Amorim's first game in charge, so there's a lot to take in, and it has been a mentally taxing week for him. But ultimately, he will be disappointed."
Keane also criticized the team's lack of ambition in the second half of the game, urging them to be more aggressive and go for the win. "They seemed fearful to go after Ipswich and secure the victory," he noted. "There was a real lack of confidence and belief. Do I think they have the quality to finish in the top four? Absolutely not. The evidence is not there. It's the same old story – predictable and lacking in quality."
Overall, it seems that there are both positives and challenges ahead for Manchester United under their new manager. It remains to be seen how they will fare in the coming games, but one thing is certain – it won't be an easy road for them.
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