Ruben Amorim on why Old Trafford has become the Theatre of Dread for Man Utd
Manchester United have lost four of their last five home games and Ruben Amorim admits his players are struggling to play at Old Trafford
by David Anderson · The MirrorOld Trafford has become the Theatre of Dread for Manchester United after Ruben Amorim admitted his players are “anxious” and “nervous” about playing at home.
United face Rangers tonight at Old Trafford in the Europa League and they have lost four of their last five home games. Amorim admits it has become harder for his players at home and says their confidence has been eroded because they have conceded first in each of their last five games.
“I think that’s clear,” said the United boss. “I could say different things and say, no, no, we have the support of the fans. No, we are more nervous playing at home than away because we lost a lot of games, like four games in five.
“So it’s getting harder, but we can improve. I think if we don’t suffer the first goal, like in the fourth minute against Brighton. Then it’s really hard to calm the team down.
“So the first thing in my mind is they cannot score. We need to score the first one. If we score the first one, I think that will change and we’ll play better at home.
“I think it’s really clear, we’re really anxious playing, especially at home, and we’re suffering goals and then it’s really hard. So I think it’s clear for everybody that it’s getting harder for us to play at Old Trafford.”
Amorim feels his players are suffering because of their nosedive and they have lost seven of their last 12 matches. “What I was saying is that you have to look really hard to find a Manchester United team that in 10 games loses seven games and that one is on me because it’s the same players doing worse with a new coach,” he said.
“What I’m saying is that we have to improve in the details, and I explained that. The way we play we’re too nervous with the ball, really anxious.”
Amorim can see parallels with Rangers and their fans are mutinous because they are 13 points behind leaders Celtic in the Scottish Premiership while their bitter rivals have won 12 of the last 13 titles. Gers coach Philippe Clement is under growing pressure and Amorim said: “I hope improve my team before he does, especially tomorrow! I feel the pain of the Rangers coach.”
Harry Maguire’s renaissance has been one of the few positives for United and he says the players have to assume more responsibility. “We’ve got to look at ourselves,” said the defender.
“We’ve got to take responsibility and as an individual that’s what I do. Every game you lose, there’s a lot of scrutiny on the players, and players get targeted. I think that’s part and parcel of playing for this club, you’ve got to accept that and take the responsibility on.
“I look at previous players, the likes of Wayne Rooney and David Beckham. They had a large amount of scrutiny and they were world-class players. So if it can happen to them, it can happen to anybody.”
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