Ruben Amorim Admits Manchester United Players ‘Afraid’ and ‘Anxious’ Ahead of Liverpool Clash

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has acknowledged that his team’s poor form has left his players “afraid on the pitch” and “anxious” as they prepare for a crucial match against league leaders Liverpool on Sunday. The Red Devils have lost their last four games, including three consecutive Premier League defeats, without scoring a single goal.

Amorim, who took charge of United in November following the departure of Erik ten Hag, has been tasked with turning around the club’s fortunes. However, the Portuguese manager has faced a challenging start to his tenure, losing six of his 11 games in charge. The team’s struggles have left them just four places and seven points above the relegation zone, prompting Amorim to admit after the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle that they are in a relegation battle.

Speaking ahead of the daunting trip to Anfield, Amorim said, “They [the players] are anxious, and sometimes afraid on the pitch. We have to cope with that. We need the leaders to step up to help the other guys and I’m the most responsible person here to improve the performances.”

The 39-year-old manager acknowledged the difficult situation his players find themselves in, saying, “You can see the players are trying, sometimes too anxious, too afraid to play football because this is a difficult moment and we will help the players to be better.”

Amorim also opened up about the personal toll the pressure of managing United has taken on him. “You can see in my face, you can compare it to when I arrive and now,” he said. “Of course there is a lot of pressure. For me, it’s more the pride and also the performance. It’s harder when we don’t perform well.”

Despite the challenges, Amorim remains committed to making the club and its players succeed. “The only thing that can help me is training with the players. And I also have my family now here so it’s so different and that can help me a lot,” he added.

United defender Harry Maguire has earned praise from Amorim for bouncing back from difficult times, with the manager emphasizing the need for leaders on the pitch. “We are starving for leaders on the pitch,” Amorim said on Friday.

As United prepare to face a Liverpool side that sits 23 points ahead of them in the table, having played one game more, Amorim remains hopeful that better times are on the horizon for the club and its supporters. “I will do my best,” he said. “I am giving everything to help the club and we are going to succeed. I know it is hard to understand that in this moment, but we are going to succeed.”

The Red Devils have not won at Anfield since January 2016 and have failed to score on their past five visits, with their last goal at the venue coming in December 2018.