Ruben Amorim Welcomes Rasmus Højlund and Amad’s Heated Exchange After Manchester United’s Comeback Win Over Viktoria Plzen
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has expressed his satisfaction with the heated exchange between Rasmus Højlund and Amad following the team’s 2-1 comeback victory over FC Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. The incident occurred after the final whistle, with the two players accusing each other of failing to pick the right pass during several late breakaways.
Højlund, who scored both goals for United after coming on as a second-half substitute, had to be separated from Amad by teammate Lisandro Martínez. However, Amorim viewed the confrontation as a positive sign, saying, “For me it’s perfect. We need to feel something. In this moment, we need to feel something. If we need to fight each other it’s like a family. For me it’s a very, very good sign. We need to feel something and that is important.”
The Portuguese manager further emphasized the importance of players showing passion and care for the team’s performance. “That is clear. When you don’t care, you don’t do anything. When you care, you fight with your brother, with your father, with your mother. For me it’s a very good sign,” Amorim added.
Amorim also expressed his trust in the players to resolve their differences, stating, “It’s a normal thing, it’s a positive thing, a healthy thing. I let the players and the captain calm down the things. If I think it’s too much I will go inside the dressing room. But it’s their space, they have to talk, to fight and for me it’s a very important thing.”
The win over Viktoria Plzen was United’s first away victory in Europe since beating Real Betis in March 2023. However, the match was not without its challenges, as the hosts took the lead due to an error from goalkeeper André Onana, whose misplaced pass to Matthijs de Ligt was easily intercepted, allowing former Watford, Derby County, and Burnley striker Matej Vydra to score.
Despite the setback, Amorim remained positive about his team’s performance and mentality. “I am happy that we win the game and still fight each other, that is a very good thing,” he said. “When you win and you fight with your teammate because you want to score one more, for me it’s a very good day for us. The way we give a goal to the opponent, it was important not to give up. That’s a great message.”
The incident between Højlund and Amad highlights the passion and desire within the Manchester United squad as they continue to adapt to Amorim’s leadership and tactical approach. The manager’s embrace of the confrontation as a sign of the players’ commitment to the team’s success bodes well for the club’s future prospects in both domestic and European competitions.