Ruben Amorim named four Manchester United players who struggled to meet his expectations after the Red Devils left it late to secure a hard-fought victory over Southampton.
Amad Diallo saved United’s blushes with an incredible hat-trick in the closing stages of the match, allowing the hosts to claim all three points in dramatic fashion.
Manuel Ugarte turned the ball into his own net just before the break to give Southampton an unlikely lead, with Amad’s inspired display papering over the cracks on yet another disappointing night for United.
Speaking on TNT Sports after the final whistle, Amorim was not afraid to name and shame when quizzed by Paul Scholes on what he felt was missing from his players.
“It’s not just tiredness but playing in this stadium, we lost the last three games here,” said the United boss. “The pressure is different because we try to press the opponent in the build-up and you can feel the difficulties.
“Matheus [Fernandes] between the lines and [Tyler] Dibling between the lines caused us a lot of problems. We have difficulties to press high at the moment. This team is not used to doing that.
“It seems a lack of enthusiasm. Ugarte is late. [Kobbie] Mainoo is late. Bruno [Fernandes] going outside when the ball is inside. In one transition, Leny [Yoro] cannot press the guy.
“These small things push the team behind and we get nervous without the ball. When you have one opportunity you feel the team can control the game better. I want to be fair to my players. It was a lack of speed and a lack of control in the game.”
Amorim was also quick to give credit to Southampton, who were the better side for the vast majority of the contest before suffering a late collapse.
“A very difficult game, a game of two halves,” he said. “They did a very good job, Southampton, creating space between the lines. [Kamaldeen Sulemana] with a lot of space, we had a lot of difficulty to stop that player.
“When they lose their physicality, we find the space to use. The feeling is we have so much to do. The team is really tired. It was a win, it was good. Let’s continue.”
When asked for his thoughts on Amad’s prolific display, the 39-year-old added: “Even in the first half, every time Amad gets the ball he can push the ball. He pushes the other team into the final third.
“That is really important. We didn’t have a good game, but at this moment, winning is the most important thing.”
The result saw United climb three positions in the Premier League table, with the Red Devils now sitting in 12th place having won just seven of their 21 matches.
They remain 13 points adrift of the division’s top four, with the prospect of qualifying for Europe nothing more than a pipe dream at present.
