Ruben Amorim said Manchester United’s mentality was key to a vast improvement against Liverpool and admitted Bruno Fernandes was right to be upset at the team’s inability to deliver every week.
United ended a run of four defeats in all competitions with a spirited draw secured by Amad Diallo’s 80th-minute equaliser at the Premier League leaders, who missed the opportunity to move eight points clear of Arsenal with a game in hand.
Harry Maguire missed a glorious chance of his own to deliver United’s first win at Anfield since January 2016 in the 97th minute but, after a troubled period, Amorim was satisfied with the character his team displayed.
The United head coach said: “I want to see my team play so much better but I think the most important thing to address today is the mentality, that is the key for everything.
“Today we were a different team not because of the system and not because of a technical aspect of the game. We faced the competition in the way we are supposed to face every day. Training and match, it doesn’t matter, we need to face every day like that.”
Fernandes, named man of the match for a vibrant performance, said the encouraging reaction to last Monday’s defeat by Newcastle was tainted by the inconsistency United have shown this season.
The United captain said: “I think it is a really good result, we could have even won the game at the end, but we can’t be satisfied to be honest and I’m pretty upset because if we show this today at Anfield against Liverpool, who is first in the league and has been probably the outstanding team in the Premier League this season, why can’t we do this every week?
“And it’s frustrating for me first, because I think finally I did a proper performance overall and I think we need to be aware, and we said it before the game, we need much more from ourselves to get something from this season. We need to put some pride out because it isn’t enough for us.”
Amorim had no issues with his captain’s analysis. “It’s a very good sign,” he said. “It’s really clear. We lost three games in a row at home, some of the games we suffer two goals without doing nothing. I am upset today, really upset.
“I am pleased for the performance but everyone today is going to say to that team that they did a good job. Today I am allowed to be the only guy upset with the team but today we were a team.”
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Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, meanwhile, insisted that Trent Alexander-Arnold was not distracted by Real Madrid’s interest despite producing a below-par performance at Anfield. Real had an approach for Alexander-Arnold rejected this week and the full-back toiled against the various threats down United’s left before being substituted late on.
But Slot said: “I think nine out of 10 people will say it affected him but I’m one of the 10 that tells you it didn’t affect him. I don’t believe in those things.
“What affected him is he had to play against Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot – two starters for Portugal who are great, great players. That tells you how much quality United have and if these players set themselves to a game, that is what United do once in a while, then it is very difficult to play against them.
“It is more difficult for Trent to play against Fernandes and Dalot than it is the rumours in the week. That is my opinion and probably everyone is going to tell you it had to do with the rumours but my opinion is different.”
Slot described the result as “two points dropped” and admitted his league leaders found it difficult to control an opponent “who puts every ball into your last line”.
Source: theguardian.com
