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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has credited assistant coaches Carlos Fernandes and Andreas Georgson for the side’s win over Ipswich Town.
United beat Ipswich 3-2 on Wednesday evening to move to 14th place in the Premier League table.
Amorim’s men got off to the worst possible start as they fell behind within four minutes as Jaden Philogene took advantage of a mix-up between Andre Onana and Patrick Dorgu.
A Bruno Fernandes free-kick was turned in by Sam Morsy to restore parity before the captain’s corner-kick delivery was eventually fired home by Matthijs de Ligt, to put the hosts in the driving seat.
Dorgu was then shown a red card for a challenge on Omari Hutchinson. Buoyed by the advantage, Ipswich drew level, with Philogene once again capitalising on a howler from Onana. But Harry Maguire secured all three points for him, bagging a second-half winner with his headed effort.
All through the season, one of United’s major weaknesses has been set-pieces but against the Tractor Boys, this was what helped get them over the line and Amorim was quick to praise set-piece coaches Carlos Fernandes and Andreas Georgson.
Speaking in his post-match presser, Amorim said, “This is well-deserved by the fans [the win]. The support was amazing and since day one, I felt that they just want to see the team fight until the end, no matter what and I think we did that today. You have that feeling of connection with the fans.”
“All the things in the game were against us and we fought through that.”
On the logic behind his decision to take off Alejandro Garnacho after Dorgu was given his marching orders, Amorim said, “The thinking was that we were playing 5-3-1. I know that was a risk because we took off maybe the one player who has pace in one vs. one situations. But I felt the team was ok and in control of the game, it was almost half-time and then we made the substitution. We have to choose someone to go out, think about set-pieces and eventually it was my choice.”
“We’ve talked about that[set-piece vulnerabilities] when we’re suffering goals. We talk about Carlos changing with Andreas. We’re in the same team and today they won the game for us. So, credit to them.”
“One thing that I felt here…it’s completely different than abroad. The contact with the defenders, especially with the goalkeepers [is intense]. So we adapt, we are improving the way we defend but also the way we attack set-pieces and like today, it changed the game.”
On implementing his preferred style of play, Amorim remarked, “I think that’s clear. It’s hard for me. Sometimes it’s like you’re fighting. That’s why I make that analysis… when we’re together and we have players like Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt defending the box, they are really strong but then when they have to cover a lot of space the game changed for them.”
“So I know that but I do not just think about now…of course we need to survive but it’s really hard for me to play like we did in the second half but I feel that the players are sometimes more comfortable when defending in a low block.”
“We have to improve in every aspect. We need to have more possession. I felt that today, we were more calm with the ball, especially in the beginning and after we suffered the first goal. I think Bruno was really important in that. Sometimes we want Bruno higher up the pitch but sometimes we need him also in building up and he was really good in that today. We clearly need to create more chances, especially to score more goals. I think that’s a big issue in our team.”
When he was withdrawn, Garnacho immediately went down the tunnel as opposed to remaining on the bench with the rest of his teammates.
Asked about this behaviour, Amorim joked, “You’re making a connection with Rashford, right?”
He then added, “I’m obviously going to talk with Garnacho about that and if you want we’ll talk about that in the next press conference.”
Amorim refused to slam Onana, instead emphasising that all the players in the squad need to refine their game and get better. On the mix-up with Dorgu, he explained that it was simply “a misunderstanding” between the two stars.
The Red Devils are back in action on Sunday when they welcome Fulham at Old Trafford in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images
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