In a stunning and brutally honest assessment, new Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has issued a direct apology to the club's supporters and launched a scathing critique of his own players' desire, following a humiliating 3-0 pre-season defeat to Brentford.
The highly anticipated friendly at the Gtech Community Stadium turned into a nightmare for the travelling Red Devils faithful. Amorim's side looked a shadow of a team, with their performance raising serious alarm bells just weeks before the new Premier League campaign kicks off.
A Public Apology to the Faithful
Amorim, known for his intense and passionate demeanour, did not mince his words in his post-match interview. He expressed his deep regret directly to the fans who had made the journey to west London, only to witness a dismal display.
"I am sorry for the fans," Amorim stated unequivocally. "They came here to see a good game and to see their team and we didn't show it. We have to look at ourselves because it was not good enough."
Questioning the Squad's Hunger
Moving beyond the apology, the Portuguese coach then turned his attention to his squad, delivering a bombshell verdict on their apparent lack of fight and application. He pointedly questioned whether the current group of players possesses the necessary mental fortitude to play for a club of United's stature.
"The first thing you need to play for Manchester United is desire," Amorim declared. "We have to want the ball, we have to want to defend, we have to want to recover the ball, we have to want to score goals. I didn't see that today."
This public challenge to his players' mentality marks a dramatic and hardline approach from the new manager, signalling that he will not tolerate performances lacking in passion and effort.
A Rocky Start to the Amorim Era
The nature of the defeat and the manager's subsequent comments will send shockwaves through the club. Pre-season is traditionally a time for building fitness and tactical understanding, but such a public dressing down suggests deep-rooted concerns from Amorim about the character of his squad.
With the new season looming, the 39-year-old coach has now thrown down the gauntlet. His comments have created a defining moment for his reign at Old Trafford, putting every player on immediate notice. The response from his squad in the coming days and weeks will be critical in determining the trajectory of Manchester United's 2025/26 campaign.
