Sport

Rúben Amorim says Manchester United are ‘too comfortable’ following rollercoaster Liverpool game

Not for the first time, he's suggested that mentality is the biggest issue.

Danny Jones - 6th January 2025

Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim has suggested that “everyone” at the club is “too comfortable” and, judging by his press conference, he wasn’t just referring to the players.

Less than two months into his tenure at Old Trafford, the Portuguese head coach has struggled to get much significant training time with his squad amidst the winter fixture congestion but after getting a few more days ahead of the derby against Liverpool on Sunday, he managed to come away with a result.

Man United took the lead against Arne Slot’s table-toppers and defended much better than fans have seen all season for the majority of the 90 minutes, not to mention showing fight to stay in the game and nearly win it if not for Harry Maguire’s shot over the bar at the death.

Speaking to the media after the whistle, Amorim said that he saw his side properly face the opposition “the way we are supposed to”, perhaps for the first time since he took charge, insisting that they demonstrated the mentality he expects from them every week from preparation to full-time.

"I feel we are too comfortable, we need a shock" 💬

Ruben Amorim says his team were a "different team" against Liverpool yesterday 🔴 pic.twitter.com/fIWuBiG876
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 6, 2025

Reiterating that “mentality is the key, for everything” be it in training or the match itself,

Most notably, however, the 39-year-old said: “I feel that everyone we, not just the players but everyone at Manchester United is too comfortable; I think sometimes we need a shock and you can see it today – we were a different team.”

This isn’t the first time Amorim has mentioned that his squad have been in need of a “big shock”, having said as much after the Newcastle United game when he even went so far as to claim that the prospect of a relegation battle is a “possibility”, and that such an eventuality should put fear into them.

As for how much of this is pointed at individuals beyond those lacing up their boots or if he’s just trying to communicate unity, good and bad, we’ll leave that up to your interpretation.

In fact, make what you will of the performances of the former Sporting boss up till now, but his seemingly brutal honesty is one thing that has remained consistent throughout his time in the Premier League thus far, as the comments he has made about the club in just a few weeks are rather stark.

Another remark he made after the home defeat to Newcastle was that it is “a bit embarrassing to be Manchester United coach” at present, particularly following the run of results they have been on (besides the Manchester derby win and a point away at Anfield), adding that they were “not improving.”

However, cut to a week later and some more tangible contact time with his players and staff on the training pitch and his tune has changed somewhat, applauding not only how they applied themselves against the league leaders, whilst still adding that everyone has the right to and “should be MAD.”

Up until this point, Amorim believes United have been ‘too comfortable’ but that he’s started to see what he wants from the club.

Midfielder Bruno Fernandes also confirmed that the anger and frustration was certainly felt in the dressing room, confessing that he was “pretty upset” not only to not have walked away with all three points after such a defiant display but that they have produced performances like that before.

As good as a point away against their historic rivals, especially given their current supremacy and United’s struggles of late, Amorim’s compatriot and team captain assured that they “can’t be happy” with just a draw asked, “Why can’t we do this every week?”

With the Red Devils’ next four fixtures including a cup tie away against Arsenal, a home game against an impressive Brighton outfit and a Europa League night against Rangers, could this be the start of the tide starting to turn in the red half of Manchester?

More importantly, do you agree with Amorim’s comments – are United guilty of being ‘too comfortable’ for too long?

You can listen back to Rúben Amorim’s post-match press conference in full following his first derby against Liverpool down below: