Amorim gives Fernandes injury update and positive thoughts after Aston Villa defeat | OneFootball

Manchester United lost their last Premier League game before Christmas, going down 2-1 away to Aston Villa.

It’s a desperately disappointing scoreline given that United put in an encouraging performance, creating good chances and only being undone by two marvellous strikes from Morgan Rogers.

Amorim philosophical

United fell to their fifth league defeat of the season, but head coach Ruben Amorim was philosophical in his post-match comments.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game he said “I think we were the better team today. We were unlucky, even with the injury of Bruno, but during the game even without him we were the better team.

“We blocked the transitions quite well and they did really well. We did a very good job that no one is going to remember tomorrow because what matters is the result.”

More than ever before United fans are getting used to looking for positives even in defeat, and there will be many who will indeed look back and remember Amorim’s side’s “very good job” going into a hectic festive period.

Preparation was key

United looked noticeably well-drilled going into a match about which many feared the worst, and Amorim explained how that came about. “We already knew that Aston Villa play with everybody inside and we needed to overload that situation,” he said.

“We have been training like that. We did different options, we can use different starting elevens depending on the game, so we are improving. Again I think we deserved so much more today but the better team did not win.”

Injuries and debuts

In contrasting ways today’s match was a big one for certain members of United’s squad. Captain Bruno Fernandes, whose fitness record is remarkable, went off injured at half time while two academy graduates were handed their first-team debuts.

Amorim described Fernandes’ injury as “really strange”, and added: “During this year, especially at this time, we have so many problems, but we have to cope with that.” He added a warning: “I think it’s soft tissue [Fernandes injury] so it’s going to be a while. We’ll see.”

He continued to cover the performances of Jack Fletcher and Shea Lacey: “I think Fletcher did his first game, so that is good news, Lacey the same, so we will try to find solutions and go for the next game.

“I am a manager for six years and even Sporting is all about the academy, so it’s about the history. Every manager wants to bring players through from the academy and not spend money because this gives value to the manager.

“I just want to win and want to be certain that the players that come in from the academy are not going to suffer too much. I’m just trying to help the club, it doesn’t matter if it’s from the academy or abroad.”

Looking ahead

United’s next match is a Boxing Day evening clash with Newcastle United, and Amorim is likely to be uncertain on his selection. He set out his plan: “We need to prepare all the guys that we have for the next game. We cannot use anything as an excuse. No one is going to remember these problems, so let’s cope with that. It will make us stronger.

“I saw from the beginning of the season a team that is going forward, but sometimes relax a little bit and sometimes is not there in the right moment to fight. Today was completely the opposite, we were the better team against a team that is strong at home and in a very good run. We were really unlucky today.”

Featured image Alex Pantling via Getty Images

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