Every word of Ruben Amorim’s Bournemouth post-match press conference | OneFootball

Ruben Amorim says Manchester United’s performance tonight was “inspiring” despite shipping four goals.

Amorim was speaking at the post-match press conference after United’s farcical 4-4 home draw with Bournemouth this evening.

Asked what he made of the game, he said:

A “fun game”

“It was a fun game for everyone at home. I think we lost, if you look at the game, you can think that we lost the two points in the second half [but] I think we lost the two points in the first half.”

“We should have more goals. It should be a different result in the half-time. Similar to Nottingham, we suffered two goals really fast, but we managed to get back to take the advantage again. Then we need to close the game.”

“Again, it was a fun game to watch. Of course, there is a feeling of scoring four goals and not winning the game.”

One reporter then focused on the improved goal threat compared to last season.

“I think people enjoy more to see Manchester United this season, but we need to put both things together. Sometimes closing the games is so important to give more a different choice to everything that we did really well.”

The BBC’s Simon Stone then asked “Do you take anything from the fact that a lot of people feel that is like Manchester United, that is the tradition of Manchester United, to keep going forward to try and score goals?”

Amorim answered: “If you understand a little bit, if you follow the club, like I follow Premier League for so long, you have not just the duty to try to win the games, but the way you try to win the games is so important for the fans. Of course, they are desperate to win, but I feel that they are desperate to be inspired when they come to Old Trafford. Today was inspiring, I think, also because of Bournemouth, but in the end, there’s that feeling of frustration not winning the game.”

The next reporter noted that “it’s five times now in the season that you’ve gone one-nil up but not gone on to win the game” and asked Amorim “do you think that’s a mentality issue with the squad?”

“It’s understanding of the moments of the game, understanding that a lot of goals, it’s after the half-time, we need to start the second half in a different way,” Amorim answered. “So it’s everything together. It’s not a mentality thing. It’s the understanding of the game and how to play the game in different moments.”

Was he playing four at the back when attacking?

“No, that is for you to discuss, not for me,” he replied. “I will say the same thing. You can play with the same players. It looks like one thing is another thing. Now, guys, it’s for you too. I know that you guys know that I train this week the back four. I don’t know how, but that is a good thing for you guys to discuss this week.”

Problems in the defence

A reporter then noted that only Man City have scored more goals than United this season, but defending has been a problem. Is Amorim aware of what the issue is?

“I think we are pressing better. We are controlling better the game far from our goal,” he said. “We are lacking of quality when we defend our goal. It’s something that we need to address, of course. I think it’s different when you suffer so many goals and the opponent doesn’t have the same amount of, not even near, that we create to the opponent. It’s really frustrating, but we need to work a lot in the way we defend the box.”

Amorim was then asked how he feels he is equipped with three players leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations.

“It’s an opportunity for everyone,” he said. “We’ll be ready for the challenge we already knew. That can happen to any team. A lot of teams are going to lose players. We need to just go for the next game with the responsibility to win the game, to fight. We will try to find different ways of creating chances and scoring goals.”

Does Amorim feel he needs to spend money on the defence?

“No, I think we have talent in the back,” he said. “We have quality players in the back. We just need to be better as a team defending. But that is a good point. That at least show that we took care of the offence. We are improving, but I think it’s not the same situation. We have the characteristics. We just need to work together and to improve our players because they have quality to defend better. Thank you. Thank you, guys.”

As he was leaving, a reporter asked him if he knew when Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt would return.

“I’ve no idea,” he answered.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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