Amorim ’embarrassed’ Manchester United in a relegation battle | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim admits he is ’embarrassed’ to be the manager of Manchester United whilst they are in a relegation battle as they suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League.

Two early goals from Alexander Isak and Joelinton inside 19 minutes did the damage to the home side. Despite a spirited fightback in the second half, Amorim’s side were unable to break down Newcastle and lost their fourth successive game in all competitions.

The loss leaves United 14th in the table at the halfway stage of the campaign. Even with a seven-point gap above the drop zone, Amorim insists the club need a ‘shock’ to accept the battle they are fighting.

“When you have these kinds of moments, especially in the big clubs, it’s really hard to turn things around, especially when you don’t have a lot of time to train the basics, to cope with the difficult moments.

“So we have to acknowledge our position, the way you see the league, everybody can win everybody. So we have to win games and focus on surviving.

“It’s a little bit embarrassing to be Manchester United’s coach and to lose a lot of games. But we have to cope with that, difficult moments in the life of everybody. It’s a hard moment.”

Amorin added, “I’m responsible. I don’t like to come here and make excuses. I think people are tired of excuses in this club. Sometimes I talk about relegation because of that. I think our club needs a shock and we have to understand that. It’s a very difficult moment and we have to fight for the next game.

Going two goals down early on led the Portuguese to make an early change, Joshua Zirkzee was taken off after just 33 minutes being replaced by Kobbie Mainoo, and Amorin conceded it was a ‘difficult’ decision to make with the Dutchman storming into the dressing room: “He wanted to be [in the dressing room], and then he returned in the second half. It was a very difficult moment and he’s a human being, but then he felt the support of the fans in the end, so everything is ok.”

Despite needing a goal to get back into the game and no goal in their last two matches, Amorin did not turn to substitute Marcus Rashford but insists it was a decision with the team in mind: “I think about the team. You think a lot about Marcus, I think about the team. When I’m there, I’m not making a point, I just want to win the game and you can feel it.

“I’m talking about the idea and the relegation fight. I don’t want to make a point during the game. I just want to win the game.”

It doesn’t get any easier for United, a trip to arch-rivals and runaway league leaders Liverpool awaits them on Sunday.