‘We don’t want to play like this’ – Amorim’s admission after Man Utd draw with Arsenal | OneFootball

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim admits he does not like using the defensive approach employed against Arsenal.

United secured a point against the Gunners at Old Trafford with Declan Rice’s second-half equaliser cancelling out Bruno Fernandes’ first-half free-kick.

But afterwards, Amorim admitted he wants his side to be much more on the front foot in future.

“I think we did well,” he told Sky Sports. “Of course we don’t want to play like this defending so much and giving the ball to the opponent. With all the games and characteristics of the players. [Victor] Lindelof for example without a lot of games. Casemiro is more comfortable in this sort of game.

“It’s the opponent. The last game before the Champions League was high pressure by PSV, man to man. they are harder to make in this way. We have some good players in the transition. [Alejandro] Garnacho made a really good game.

“It’s normal. We try to keep the starting XI until the goal. When you suffer a goal, the players tire. We try to choose the best moments to press high.

“When you coach Manchester United, you cannot play too much like that. You have to try to win the game. I know it is frustrating for the fans sometimes. We have to deal with that and sometimes do things that are not popular.”

On the fans’ protests before the game: “This club will never die, that is clear. You feel it in the streets. This is a big business and maybe all the fans in this league sometimes feel it is harder to go to the games and pay for tickets. We want to give them a lot of effort. In the future, we will not play like that.”

Amorim also hailed Fernandes in his press conference, claiming his side would not be in their current position if they had more players like his captain.

“We need more Brunos, that is clear,” he said.

“It’s not just the quality and the character. He makes some mistakes but he is so decisive with and without the ball.

“He steps up all the time. He can show some frustration in some moments that can hurt him more than everyone. I understand that. He wants to win.

“But he is always available, can play in different positions and when we need a goal and an assist he is always there.”