Ruben Amorim: Man Utd manager says club may be in one of their worst moments and gives Marcus Rashford squad update | Football news

Ruben Amorim admitted Manchester United are suffering “perhaps one of their worst moments” and urged everyone – including the exiled Marcus Rashford – to be “strong at this moment”.

United were beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday to remain 13th in the Premier League table, with Amorim’s side heading into the Boxing Day trip to Wolves having lost three of their last four games.

Meanwhile, former United talisman Rashford was left out of the final three squads for the game and gave a bombshell interview last week in which he announced he was looking for a “new challenge”.

Asked if there was a danger of the Rashford saga becoming a distraction, Amorim said: “No, I don’t think so. Not for me, not for the other players.

“Because they’re all there every day during training. They understand. That’s the key thing. For the media and for other people, I can’t control that.

“But I’m really focused and they know I’m so clear in my message. Everyone at Carrington knows what I’m talking about and what I want from Marcus and everyone else. It’s not a distraction for us, it might be for the media but it’s not my concern.”

Asked what he wanted to see from Rashford, Amorim replied: “Like any other player, the best I can be.

“If you have a big talent, a big performance, a big responsibility, push everything forward at this point. Some guys have a big responsibility here because they’ve been here a long time.

“This is maybe one of the worst times in our club so we have to face it and be strong in this moment. That’s what I want from every player in the team.”

Amorim: I know what I’m doing

Rashford was left out of United’s squad for the first time in the game ahead of the Manchester derby win on December 15 and Amorim has confirmed the forward wants to play for the team but the Portuguese manager stands by his call.

“Yes, it’s my decision,” Amorim said. “He wants to play, he’s trying, but it’s my decision, only my decision.

“I talked to a lot of players, individually and during training. I do this my way and it’s the only way I know. If I don’t do it, I lose myself and I don’t want to lose myself. I know what I’m doing.”

Rashford was an ever-present figure under previous manager Erik ten Hag and Amorim claims he cannot blame the Dutchman’s reign for his side currently struggling in the Premier League.

United’s woes were highlighted by a leak in the ceiling of the press conference room during Amorim’s post-Bournemouth briefing – with the Portuguese manager even using the comical moment to claim he can turn the club’s fortunes around.

“It’s a difficult question to answer and we have to know this: don’t let this become normal,” he said.

“I understand that this is a difficult moment and it’s up to me. From the first day I arrived, it’s up to me because I’m responsible for the team.

“We can’t think about it, we have to think about improvement, understand the context and not focus on what happened in the past. The present is this, what we have to do in the future is (not let this) happen again.

“If I had known, I would have solved all the club’s problems, including this one (pointing to the leak in the ceiling of the press room).

“I know what I’m going to do, it’s so clear to me, that’s why I feel so – I won’t say relaxed because I’m really frustrated – but I know what I have to do.

“But we have to solve the problems step by step, finding answers for everyone, but this is a very difficult moment, we understand the fans and we will fight against it.”

Amorim’s passionate message to Man Utd fans

Amorim also spoke of Manchester United fans’ “anxiety” around Old Trafford during the defeat to Bournemouth – but says he can’t blame the fans for “doing everything right” from the stands.

The 39-year-old also admitted he understands the frustration and disappointment the players are showing.

“I can’t say better things about the fans,” he said. “What I’m trying to say to the fans is: we understand. I understand as a coach. I understand the moment, the frustration and the disappointment. I understand that.

“We will improve, it will take time. I said the same thing after we beat Everton and people were talking about the top four. So I know it will be very difficult, but it is important for us, from this side, to tell the fans that we understand, I understand.

“And they’re amazing, the support we have. We’re having a season like we haven’t seen in (many) years and we know it. The only thing is to face it, prepare the next game as if we’ve won – if I can say that – and then go again and try win the match.

“It’s just from us. They need our help, not the other way around. They’re doing everything right.”