Things did not go exactly to plan for Ruben Amorim during his first match as Manchester United head coach.
Ruben Amorim took one point from his debut in the dugout after Manchester United drew 1-1 with Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
The Red Devils were strong favourites and started superbly when Marcus Rashford opened the scoring after just 80 seconds.
However, performance levels dropped after taking the lead and Amorim grew frustrated at United’s display from the sidelines. Amorim sympathised with his players but was understandably upset at dropping points.
He has a chance to pick up his first Premier League victory at Old Trafford against Everton on Sunday.
Amorim had his first match at Old Trafford during Thursday’s Europa League clash against Bodo/Glimt and his first Premier League home match is up next.
Ahead of the clash, Paul Merson has predicted the exact scoreline for the match and believes Amorim could have been “destroyed” in his first match if it was against better opposition.
As per Sportskeeda, Merson said: “I think even Ruben Amorim was shocked by what happened. If they don’t start winning games, Amorim will have to start answering a lot more questions whether he likes it or not.
“That is just how big this club is and how the Premier League is in a nutshell. I’m not entirely convinced about Manchester United’s new system under Amorim. After a point in that game, you would’ve thought Ipswich were the bigger club and not United, that’s how it went.
“You could say everyone was away on international duty and he did not have enough time. But if that performance was against one of the big boys in the league, Manchester United would have been destroyed by four or five goals!
“Everton are a team who have a special X-factor in them. They always have that one fixture every season when they just spring to life and surprise us.”
Despite being critical of United and Amorim, Merson then predicted a 2-0 win for United on Sunday…
Amorim has come into the club ahead of a hectic fixture list over the winter period.
The biggest challenge will be trying to implement his system and get his ideas across to players with such little time between matches. Progress is key, but results are what matters most.
Amorim will be looking to pick up a victory against Everton on Sunday, and the fixtures on the horizon for United look tricky.
Following Sunday’s clash against Everton, United travel to title-chasing Arsenal before a home clash against high-flying Nottingham Forest.
Amorim will then get his first taste of a Manchester derby in mid-December and United fans will hope he can replicate Sporting’s 4-1 demolition of City in the Champions League.
Related Posts