Ruben Amorim's stubborn refusal shines through with Bruno Fernandes defence
Manchester United face Fulham in the FA Cup fifth round on Sunday, continuing their defence of the trophy won last May, with Ruben Amorim backing his players despite their current Premier League nightmare
by David McDonnell · The MirrorIn a season of unprecedented turmoil for Manchester United on and off the pitch, Ruben Amorim's strong sense of conviction has shone through.
The 40-year-old Portuguese head coach, thrust into the job part way through the season, has refused to compromise on his principles and high standards.
From jettisoning former golden boy Marcus Rashford to steadfastly sticking to playing with three at the back system, Amorim is as stubborn and dogmatic as they come. That trait was on display at United's training ground yesterday, when Amorim was asked about former captain Roy Keane's brutal criticism of the current holder of the coveted armband, Bruno Fernandes.
Keane went on a furious rant, branding Fernandes and his United team-mates “imposters” and “bluffers” and claiming the 30-year-old playmaker does not possess the qualities to lead the team.
“I heard about that, but I have a different opinion,” said Amorim. “Bruno is really important for us in the club, especially for me.
“He’s playing well in a difficult context and he always wants the responsibility. I know sometimes he does things as a captain, with his arms and criticising the team-mates. But most of all it’s a lot of frustration for this year, the last year and the others.
“He wants to win and sometimes it’s really hard to deal with that frustration. Everybody has an opinion. Roy Keane has big standards from him in his time, so it's normal to have an opinion.
“But I have an opposite opinion and I think my opinion is more important than Roy Keane’s, because I'm the coach and I think Bruno is doing things quite well.”
The stats would appear to endorse Amorim's support of Fernandes, who has been unquestionably United's best player this season, although admittedly the bar for that accolade is extremely low.
This season, Fernandes is United's leading scorer with 10 goals in all competitions and has also produced the most assists, with 13. He has started all but one of United's 26 games, the only one he missed due to suspension.
He has played through the pain barrier, as he has done ever since he joined United five years ago, with many of his team-mates lacking their captain's commitment, durability and determination to play, whatever their ailments.
Fernandes will be determined to help holders United advance to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with victory over Fulham tomorrow at Old Trafford, with Amorim acknowledging the need to build momentum with another win at home, after so many defeats there this season.
“The FA Cup is really important for us, but nowadays everything is important,” said Amorim. “Like the last win, just the feeling of winning, the way we work in the last days is completely different.
“So we want to go to the next stage, to have two wins at home, especially at home, because we need that feeling."
On United's team news, Amorim said: "I think no-one is back. They're still trying to recover to help us in the next games.
“The FA Cup is really important for us, but nowadays everything is important. Like with the last win, just the feeling of winning, the way we work in the last days is completely different.
“So we want to go to the next stage, to have two wins at home and, especially at home, we need that feeling.”
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