‘It’s getting worse for the same players with a new coach’

Ruben Amorim admitted he made a mistake with his display after the 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton in which he branded his side “the worst in Manchester United’s history”.

The Portuguese made the claim after his players put in another atrocious display on Sunday that left them languishing in 13th place in the Premier League table.

Amorim said he spoke more about himself than the team after failing to make a positive impact following his arrival from Sporting CP.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Europa League clash with Rangers, he said: “I spoke more for myself than my players because it’s hard to find a manager who has lost seven games in the first 10. That’s more for me.

“Every time you (the press) insist that the players are not good enough, so I understand that I gave you that title.

“Sometimes I get frustrated and I shouldn’t say things that way, but that’s how it is. Sometimes it is very difficult to hide the frustration. Good thing I said the same thing in the locker room five minutes before.

“The reaction was normal because I am really open with my players. They trained well and are ready for this match.

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“I do not remove the responsibility from the players. What I’m trying to say is that the message you showed was that I was putting it on the players. What I’m saying is that you have to look very hard for a Manchester United team that has lost seven of them in 10 games, and that’s my responsibility.

“I’m a young guy and sometimes I make mistakes. And that’s why I (usually) don’t talk after the game. In this game, I should have talked and maybe it was a mistake, and then I get more nervous and go to the (press) conference very nervous and say things I shouldn’t say, that’s it. Sometimes I’m a young guy and I make mistakes.”

Same players, different coach

Erik ten Hag left United languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League after he was sacked and Amorim failed to move the Red Devils from that position.

Despite positive wins against Manchester City and Arsenal, there were also worrying defeats against Wolves and Brighton.

Amorim is aware of the situation and adds: “The same players are worse with the new coach. That’s my only concern right now. I’m not taking the responsibility off the players, but we have to improve in the details and I explained that.

“The way we play, we are too nervous with the ball. It wasn’t the best thing to say after that defeat, but it is what it is and that’s how I am all the time. I’m really straightforward with things and I say that we have a very poor record at the moment and our results are very poor.

“It’s all together – the players, the coaching staff, the coaching staff. I have the biggest responsibility because I am the coach.

“Imagine if we don’t get an early goal tomorrow and we score and play well and then we go to Fulham and win – that will change – even the environment here. All. I don’t want to say that it will take a long time, but it becomes very difficult. It’s really hard for everyone. I don’t know if we can change that tomorrow.

“If you want, I can be delusional and say different things. I say it as I see it. I’ve said it to the players and I’ve said it to you – I think it’s good to be really honest. If you want me to say different things, I can start doing that because it’s easier for me. If you’re in the stadium, you can feel it, but I’m not nervous, I’m frustrated.”