Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim launched a furious critique of his players after they squandered a vital victory against West Ham United at Old Trafford on Thursday evening.
Late Collapse Costs United Dearly
The Red Devils appeared to be heading for a crucial three points after Diogo Dalot's second-half strike broke the deadlock. However, their failure to see the game out proved costly as West Ham defender Soungoutou Magassa scored his maiden Premier League goal to snatch a 1-1 draw.
The result was a significant blow to United's ambitions, leaving them stuck in eighth place in the Premier League table. They had entered the match with a chance to leapfrog several rivals and climb into fifth position, making the two dropped points feel like a defeat.
Amorim's Blunt Assessment
In a post-match interview brimming with frustration, Amorim did not hold back in his analysis. He pinpointed a lack of consistency and game management as the primary reasons for the disappointing outcome.
"The performance was not constant," Amorim stated. "We had good moments but we lost control in the first half and again in the second half after the goal. We should have closed the game when we scored the first one."
The Portuguese boss emphasised that his team were fully aware of the threat posed by West Ham's physicality, particularly from set-pieces, but failed to execute the necessary defensive discipline. "The game was in control. We knew it. Let's defend far from the box," he lamented. "We could maintain the ball after the first goal and again we lost two points."
Where It Went Wrong for the Red Devils
Amorim went into greater detail, criticising his side's inability to win second balls and their lack of cutting edge in the final third. He highlighted specific moments where United's resolve and quality were found wanting.
"Just losing second balls. And when they kick the ball long... You can't control that kind of game," he explained. "We should be better with the ball after the first goal. We had a big opportunity with [Matheus] Cunha. The crosses were not good. Sometimes the players' characteristics inside the box are not good. They are not enough to score goals from that position."
This stark admission underscores the ongoing attacking issues that have plagued United's season, with a reliance on individual brilliance often replacing cohesive, clinical team play.
The Road Ahead: A Must-Win at Wolves
With little time to dwell on the setback, Amorim has immediately turned his attention to United's next fixture: a Monday night trip to face Wolverhampton Wanderers. He issued a clear demand for an immediate response to ensure their top-four hopes do not suffer further damage.
"Everything is important, every game is important," Amorim asserted. "We need to win the next one." The pressure is now firmly on his squad to deliver a performance that matches their manager's expectations and gets their league campaign back on track.
