Manchester United’s manager believes there have been games where the team controlled the opponent better.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim highlighted the luck needed to beat Newcastle in the opening match of the 18th round of the Premier League. After surpassing last season’s points tally , the Portuguese coach emphasized the “Red Devils'” ability to suffer together as a team.
“We all suffered together. We can say we defended well because we didn’t concede a goal, but they had opportunities. Sometimes we need a bit of luck. We’ve had many games this season where we played better than the opponent and didn’t win. Today we were good in the first half but conceded in the second. Not conceding goals is a good feeling, but if we look at it, there have been games where we controlled the opponent better,” he began by saying in the post=match press conference.
For the former Sporting player, this victory ranks among the most satisfying of the season, especially considering the difficulty experienced in the second half.
One of the most satisfying victories? Yes, especially if you watch the second half. We had to defend, sometimes even with six men, but we suffered together. If we always have this spirit, we’ll win many games. We have to feel that sometimes we can win even without playing very well.
Dorgu scored the stunning goal that gave United the victory. Regarding the Dane’s performance, Amorim emphasized that this game was ideal for the winger’s characteristics.
It’s normal life for a player. Sometimes you’re in good form, other times you have problems. Sometimes it depends on the team or the game. Today, with many transitions, it was good for his ability to control the ball, he said.
Regarding the substitution of Casemiro, which seemed to raise some alarms, the 40=year=old coach assured that it was a tactical substitution, given the moment in the game.
“Casemiro? At that moment I didn’t want to take Matheus Cunha off, because I felt he was the only player who allowed us to breathe. They [Newcastle] were going to go into a run of corners and I felt he was going to have difficulties at that moment, he explained.
As for Lisandro Martínez, who started for the first time this season after injury, Amorim praised the Argentinian, expressing satisfaction with the defender’s performance.
“He’s a player with a lot of character and very good with the ball. He played in and won the World Cup, he’s used to the pressure. He showed today that he’s a ‘top’ player,” concluded the Portuguese coach.