Rúben Amorim demands Manchester United stars break detrimental pattern vs Rangers that could “change everything”

Rúben Amorim has warned his Manchester United players about what Rangers must not be allowed to do at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.

Manchester United return to Europa League action on Thursday evening as they welcome Rangers to Old Trafford.

The start of 2025 has brought a mixed run of results for the Reds. A battling draw against Liverpool and an impressive victory over Arsenal suggested momentum was building. However, a lacklustre win against Southampton – despite Amad’s outstanding hat-trick – left fans unconvinced, and a 3-1 defeat to Brighton further deflated the mood.

Thursday’s clash with Rangers offers Rúben Amorim and his squad the chance to reset and reignite belief among the Old Trafford faithful. United approach the game as favourites, determined to make a statement.

Sitting seventh in the Europa League standings – firmly within the automatic qualification spots for the knockout stages – a victory would strengthen their position and provide a much-needed boost to morale.

Amorim issues Rangers warning

Amorim held his usual pre-match press conference on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the Rangers fixture, where he warned his Manchester United squad that they cannot let Rangers score first.

Since the beginning of December, United have allowed visiting teams to score first on every occasion, which has been a detrimental pattern that has destroyed player confidence at Old Trafford.

“We need the first thing, in my mind, they cannot score,” Amorim explained.

“We need to score the first one and if we scored the first one that would change [things] and we would play better at home in the beginning.

“That is it and I think we are really clear that we are anxious playing, especially at home, and we are suffering goals then it is really hard. I think it is clear for everybody that it is getting harder to play at Old Trafford.”

Amorim issues reminder to the press

However, the 39-year-old was also keen to point out that, in football, the mood can change very quickly, and that if his side score first, that could change everything.

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“The most important thing is to think we can improve right away in the next match and then it is like that!” he continued.

“Football can change like that and we can have a lot of ideas and thinking that things could get worse for that reason and another reason but imagine tomorrow we do not suffer a goal in the beginning and we score, we play well and then we go to Fulham and we can win it.

“That will change — even the environment here — everything.”

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