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Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has explained the reason why his team often seems to play well in the first half of matches, only to collapse in the second period.
Amorim offers an explanation
United are currently in fine form, with the side enjoying a five-match unbeaten run dating back to the start of last month when they defeated Sunderland 2-0 at Old Trafford.
After a patchy start to the season, United appear to finally be gaining some much-needed momentum.
One problem that still lingers, however, is the Red Devils’ inability to watch games comfortably. On several occasions United started matches well, only to collapse and give opponents a chance to get back into it. This was evident in the most recent performance, a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
Although United have scored the most first half goals in the Premier League so far this season (11), they have also conceded the most second half goals (14) of any team in the division.
Amorim spoke to Premier League Productions and gave his assessment of this worrying trend.
He said [as quoted by the United website]”I think we’re losing intensity. I think we’ve had some problems in some games, we’ve lost Casemiro, I think twice, because of some pain. Harry Maguire, the same. They’re key players, not just in the way they play, the experience they have.” [but also] the set pieces, and people don’t take that into account.
“I think we’re losing something [impetus] if we have the advantage, we lose the advantage if we continue to push in the same way.”
“It’s a lot of things together. I think we’re thinking about ‘let’s not score a goal’. And our mentality should be like ‘we have one goal, we just need one more chance to finish the game’. So I think it’s mental, but I think it’s also physical, so we have to improve on that aspect.”
Amorim reflects on his United journey
Monday’s home game with Everton marks Amorim’s one-year anniversary as United’s head coach. The former Portugal international has had a difficult time at the club and he believes the lessons he has learned have made him a much better manager.
He commented: “I think I’ve changed as a coach. I see things a little differently. I had an idea of how to play, how to build up in a certain way, and I changed that.”
Amorim continued: “Here, and you see this in the Premier League, we are really focused on data. So you have to change the way you do things. You have to pay attention. Of course you want to play in a specific way, but you have to adapt, you have to understand where to play.” [need to] playing more possession, the way we win some corners to push the opponents, all these things.
“Last year I felt like I was always overwhelmed by the matches. I didn’t have time to calm down, to understand that my job is not only on the field, but also off the field.” [it] is to advocate for everyone. Last year I felt like I was very emotional all the time because I was struggling with the results.
“I always say this is going to take time, but I’m the guy who has the bigger responsibility to take care of everything and control the emotions a little better.”
Looking ahead to the game against Everton, Amorim noted that the Toffees are a stronger team than they were 12 months ago.
He said they have players like Jack Grealish, Iliman Ndiaye, former Red James Garner and Jake O’Brien who can make a difference.
Featured image Matt McNulty via Getty Images
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