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
Reiterating that “mentality is the key, for everything” be it in training or the match itself,
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.”
ADVERTISEMENT
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?
ADVERTISEMENT
You can listen back to Rúben Amorim’s post-match press conference in full following his first derby against Liverpool down below:
Featured Images — Optus Sports/Beanyman Sports (screenshots via YouTube)
Sport
Jamie Carragher fires back at journalist after being turned away from Etihad away end
Danny Jones
Jamie Carragher has fired back at a tabloid journalist after he reported on the ex-footballer being turned away from the Borussia Dortmund away end during their meeting against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium this week.
The former Liverpool and England player was reporting on the Champions League match as part of his usual ‘Golazo’ duties for the US on Wednesday, 5 November, and was hoping to join in with travelling fans during the game.
Carragher became part of the ‘yellow wall’ last year during their UCL fixture against Chelsea, being adopted as a Dortmund supporter for the day, but was not granted the same privilege upon arriving at the Etihad this time around.
Daily Mail journalist Mike Keegan wrote a piece explaining how the working presenter was turned away due to safety concerns raised by security at Man City, but the 47-year-old has now given his own retort.
Just trying to have a good time with the Dortmund fans Mike, it was no problem it wasn’t allowed. Next time message me & I’ll tell you all you need to know, rather than Simon at Man City giving you a story. Probably explains why you’re so sympathetic around the 115 charges.
As you can see, the retired defender turned Sky Sports and CBS pundit was less than pleased with the piece, clarifying that there was “no problem” over the decision, asking instead why he didn’t contact him directly for a comment.
In addition to seemingly naming names, he also couldn’t resist the urge as a rival Red to take a jab at City’s ever-looming FFP breaches, suggesting that the outlet has been somewhat biased in its coverage of the ongoing saga.
However, Keegan didn’t let the spat pass without his own right of reply.
Reacting directly underneath the response, the sports writer added: “I already knew the facts, Jamie, but you clearly don’t.
“Next time you’re covering a game at City, you should probably apologise to Simon for wrongly accusing him of being the source on the story.”
Either way, this is as far as Carragher got on his way to the ground:
While it is still unclear as to who exactly ‘Carra’ and Keegan are referring to in their exchange, many have speculated that it could be Simon Pearce: a non-executive director at the club and part of the CFG (City Football Group) board; he has been tied to the ongoing allegations of financial deception.
Onto the action pitchside, not only did scoring machine Erling Haaland come back to haunt his former team once again, but the Blues ran, maybe not riot, but much closer to their vintage best, with Stockport’s very own bagging a brace and Rayan Cherki scoring his first UCL goal under Pep Guardiola.
Professional cricketer wins University Campus of Football Business grand prize at Old Trafford
Danny Jones
British cricketer, Marie Kelly, has won the prestigious University Campus of Football Business (UCFB) Sports Entrepreneur Competition for 2025.
Winning the whopping grand prize of up to £50,000, the Blaze – Nottinghamshire women’s team, formerly known as ‘Lightning’ – and Northern Superchargers star took home the potentially game-changing investment for her own apparel company, Versatail.
Being given the substantial grant late last month, the professional cricket player was presented as the lucky recipient following an intense deliberation process.
Expert judges chose the Birmingham-born young businesswoman from a shortlist of nine finalists selected from countless submissions.
At 29, Kelly fell just within the eligible 18-30 age bracket for the new UFCB Sports Entrepreneur Competition, with 2025 marking a decade of the further education institution here in Manchester.
Held at Man United’s home stadium, Old Trafford, it’s safe to say that the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ felt like a fitting venue to deliver news.
The judging panel was comprised of UCFB Founder, Brendan Flood; Andrea Chilton, CEO of the English Schools Football Association; Eni Shabani, Founder of Rising Ballers; Adrian Harris, Chief Supply Chain Officer of Castore, as well as the CEO of Altrincham FC, Sam Mackenzie.
As the founder of Versatail UK, which specialises in women’s and active headwear, including lifestyle caps and bobble hats, Kelly has taken her sporting background to create products that cater specifically to long hair and female-centric styling.
For instance, her label has helped oversee the design ‘Magni-Strip®’ trademarked technology, which allows people to adjust their ponytail heights.
Learn more about the inspiration behind the project here:
Votes were based on five criteria: market opportunity, innovation of the idea, feasibility, the pitch quality, and sustainability/impact of the idea.
Other runners-up included a non-league football app called Touchline, and even an anti-bacterial boxing glove liner conceived by a brand specialist at Amazon.
Speaking on the momentous milestone for her still relatively small start-up, Kelly said: “My main emotion is shock. I really didn’t think I would win – I was here for the experience.
The process really helped me strategise the business and really think about where I wanted to go with it. To be named the overall winner, I’m really delighted.”
“The financial prize takes a bit of the weight off my mind about how to supply the demand that I’ve already got for my products and my caps. Hopefully, I can just really develop the product so it’s even better and service even more women and girls in sports.”
As for UCFB, aforementioned CEO Flood went on to add: “As we celebrate 10 years in Manchester, we want to celebrate not just our own journey but empower the young entrepreneurs who will shape the future of sport.
“This competition reflected everything UCFB stands for: ambition, innovation, and the belief that the sports industry is powered by creative ideas. The calibre of the entries was incredible, so everyone who made the final judging stage deserves immense credit, but Marie was the unanimous choice overall.
“She has done an incredible job establishing her brand, and we hope that this financial reward can help Versatail continue to cater for the diverse needs of women and girls in sport at an even greater scale.
You can see the full video from the most recent event down below.
If you’re looking to make moves in this space, keep your eye out for when entries open for the UCFB Entrepreneur prize in 2026.
Danny Jones -
6th January 2025 
