In a stunning post-match revelation, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has declared he wants his players to physically fight each other on the pitch following mistakes, directly referencing the incident that saw Everton's Idrissa Gueye receive a red card during their clash at Old Trafford.
Controversy at the Theatre of Dreams
The match, which ended in a disappointing 1-0 defeat for the home side, was turned on its head within the first 15 minutes. Everton's Idrissa Gueye was shown a straight red card for slapping his own teammate, Michael Keane, an act of frustration that should have handed United a significant advantage.
However, instead of capitalising on the situation, United delivered what Amorim described as arguably the worst Premier League performance during his year in charge. The team appeared disjointed and unable to seize control against a determined ten-man Everton, who dominated proceedings throughout the night.
Amorim's Unconventional Philosophy
Walking into the press room with his head bowed, a visibly concerned Amorim did not condemn Gueye's actions. In fact, he passionately disagreed with the sending-off and outlined a surprising new standard for his squad.
'Fighting is not a bad thing. Fighting doesn't mean they don't like each other,' Amorim stated. 'Fighting is that you lose the ball and I will fight you because you lose the ball and we will suffer a goal. That was my feeling when I watched.'
He explicitly endorsed the aggressive response, adding, 'I hope my players when they lose the ball they fight each other.' While acknowledging the referee's correct application of the rules regarding violent conduct, Amorim made it clear this is the level of passion and accountability he expects from his team moving forward.
A Fear of Regression and a Call to Action
The defeat has sparked significant worry for the United manager, who confessed to a deep-seated fear of his team reverting to the poor form that plagued them last season. 'I feel afraid of returning to this feeling of last season, that is my biggest concern,' he admitted.
Amorim emphasised that despite positive external perceptions of the team's evolution over the past five weeks, the performance at Old Trafford was a stark reminder of how far they have to go. He called for immediate improvement, stating, 'The players are trying but we need to be better.'
With training scheduled for the next day, the manager is determined to address these issues head-on, hoping to instil the fighting spirit he believes is essential for a club of Manchester United's stature.
