Ruben Amorim admitted he made a mistake with his outburst after the 3-1 home defeat by Brighton, in which he described his side as the “worst in Manchester United’s history”.
The Portuguese made the claim after his players produced another miserable display on Sunday that left them languishing in 13th place in the Premier League table.
Amorim said he was talking 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 was talking more about myself than my players because it’s hard to find a manager who has lost seven games in his first 10. It’s more about me.
“Every time you push (the press) that the players are not good enough, so I understand that I gave you this title.
“I’m disappointed sometimes and I shouldn’t put it in those terms, but it is what it is. Sometimes it’s really hard to hide disappointment. Good thing I said the same things in the dressing room five minutes ago.
“The response was normal because I am very blunt with my players. They have trained well and are ready for this game.
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“I don’t take the responsibility away from the players. What I’m saying is that the message you showed is that I put it on the players. What I’m saying is that you have to look very hard to find a Manchester United team that in 10 games have lost seven of them, and that’s about me.
“I’m young and sometimes I’m wrong. And that’s why I don’t (usually) talk about it after the game. This game, I had to speak and maybe it was wrong and then I feel more nervous and I go to the (news) conference very nervous and I say things that I shouldn’t have said, that’s it. Sometimes I’m young and I make mistakes.”
Same players, different coach
Erik ten Haag left United languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table when he was sent off and Amorim failed to lift the Red Devils from that position.
Despite positive wins against the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal, there were also worrying defeats to Wolves and Brighton.
Amorim is aware of the situation and added: “It’s the same players who do worse with a new manager. That’s my only concern right now. I’m not taking the responsibility off the players, but we need to improve on the details and I explained that.
“The way we play, we are very nervous with the ball. It wasn’t the best point to make after that loss, but it is what it is and that’s how I am all the time. I’m very direct with things and I say right now, we’re performing very poorly and our results are very bad.
“It’s all together – the players, the staff, the coaching staff. I am the most responsible because I am the coach.
“Imagine if tomorrow we don’t concede an early goal and we score and play well and then we go to Fulham and win it – that will change – even the environment here. Everything. I don’t want to say it will take a long time, but it is getting very difficult. It’s really hard for everyone. I don’t know if we can change it tomorrow.
“If you want I can be delusional and say different things. I tell it like I see it. I told the players and I told 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 on the pitch you can feel it but I’m not nervous, I’m disappointed.”
