Rúben Amorim has been told what area he must improve if Manchester United are to become successful once again, following the Aston Villa loss.
Manchester United’s loss at Villa Park on Sunday evening will be a huge blow for Rúben Amorim, following the 4-4 draw to AFC Bournemouth on Monday night.
Despite scoring four against Bournemouth, United struggled in attack against Aston Villa and only scored their goal due to an error from Matty Cash. Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu robbed Cash of the ball before Mathues Cunha picked up the pieces to level the game just before halftime.
Morgan Rogers was the only other goalscorer in the game, with two purlers from just outside the penalty area. Senne Lammens has been impressive in a United shirt, but he couldn’t stop either effort from the England international.
United looked assured and stable throughout the 90 minutes, despite no Casemiro, Amad and Bryan Mbeumo. Amorim’s issues were maximised when Bruno Fernandes was forced off with a hamstring issue.
With no Kobbie Mainoo on the bench, Lisandro Martínez replaced the United captain and looked more impressive than Manuel Ugarte, despite not being a natural midfielder.
Keane reflects on United performance
Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, Roy Keane shared his thoughts on United’s performance compared to their recent showings – stating he doesn’t agree with comments about United’s poor luck.
“I disagree that they’re unlucky,” said the former United midfielder. “They gave up two goals, defensively. We look at our last two games, two today, four against Bournemouth. That’s not good enough.
“We praise them for what they’re doing going forward. More of a goal threat, and again, couldn’t you miss a great chance maybe to get a point? And again, that would have been two goals for them.
“But the amount of chances and goals they’re giving up, you’re never really going to make big progress. That’s alright for maybe a small club, where you might be an entertaining club. But they can still dig deep, they still have to find a way in after the game.”
Keane continued to say: “I’ve always felt, as a player, I prefer the points than the praise. So it’s no point coming on afterwards and saying, particularly at Man United, going, you know, we played really well, we were a bit unlucky, you know, I’d rather come on again. No, we weren’t at our best, but I tell you what, we got the job done.”
United’s lack of intensity
Keane later spoke on United’s need to improve without the ball if they want to improve and move up the Premier League. He said: “They’ve got to be more intense when they’re defending, they’ve got to be a bit more pride. I look at [Diogo] Dalot there, he’s getting interviewed after the game, and Dalot for the second goal, the intensity or desire to stop a cross.
“And these are like big moments in a football match. It might end up being a poor cross, but Aston Villa again, playing with confidence and belief, make the most of it. Whereas United are just letting teams away with it.
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“You can’t give up six goals in two matches and stand there and expect to say, we’re going to get results. You’re just making it really hard for yourselves. And they’re up against another, people like Bruno, he’s brought on a couple of younger players today, just players away.”
Keane went on to say: “These are the challenges of playing for Man United. But you can also dig deep. You can also win playing ugly. You have to find a way to do that. Because there’s no good turn. A part of football is when you’re out of possession.
“And this team, out of possession, are nowhere near good enough. And I don’t know where that intensity, that drive and belief is to try and get a result.”
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