Man Utd news: Ruben Amorim insists players ‘don’t want change’ as ‘problem’ identified

Manchester United beat Sunderland 2-0 on Saturday, offering some hope to under-fire boss Ruben Amorim in the process – with a daunting trip away to Liverpool up next

Ruben Amorim appears to have earned himself a few more weeks in the Manchester United hot seat after Saturday’s 2-0 triumph over Sunderland.

The embattled Portuguese manager went into his 50th game as Red Devils chief facing intense scrutiny following the damaging 3-1 defeat at Brentford. However, Amorim’s troops bounced back impressively against the newly-promoted Black Cats, with first-half strikes from Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko securing a vital three points ahead of the international break.

Debutant goalkeeper Senne Lammens caught the eye as the home side made five alterations, with Mount – one of those drafted in – putting them ahead within eight minutes. Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs pulled off a series of excellent stops but was beaten once more in the 31st minute when Diogo Dalot’s lengthy throw-in was diverted into Sesko’s path for the striker to convert.

The victory propelled United into the top half of the standings and within six points of pacesetters Arsenal. Amorim can now anticipate remaining at the helm when United resume Premier League duties away at Liverpool on October 19. Here’s all the latest news from Old Trafford.

Amorim demands deeds not declarations

Amorim insisted he preferred deeds over declarations following Mount’s pre-match backing.

The midfielder claimed the squad were “100% behind the gaffer,” ahead of the Sunderland clash, with the display indicating this was more than mere platitudes for a manager under pressure, reports the Mirror.

When the United boss was informed about Mount’s remarks, he responded: “I saw [that] today and I know they want to do their best, and I know they don’t want to change the coach all the time.

“But, like I said during this week, to be with the manager is, ‘I will kill myself to go in every transition’. We need to show with actions.

“And sometimes, when we look at our team, I know for sure that when we see the games in the end, they know that sometimes we can do better.

“So, I feel that during the week but we need to show that on the pitch, not just at home but also away.”

Neville’s wake-up call

The victory over Sunderland might have lifted some of the pressure, but Gary Neville maintains that Amorim is “not off the hook”.

The former United defender argued that claiming the occasional triumph falls far short of what’s required from Amorim, who has still not managed consecutive league victories after nearly a year in the hot seat.

Speaking on his Sky Sports podcast, Neville commented: “There’s too many defeats, the record’s too poor so I don’t think anybody will be celebrating too much tonight at Manchester United, but I think they’ll be relieved that there is a victory which allows a little bit of peace going into the international break.

“Manchester United win the odd game but that’s nowhere near enough. I don’t think anybody would be kidded on by the fact that Manchester United beat Sunderland at home.

“The fact that it was even in doubt before the game is probably the problem in itself.”

Sesko channels Keane

Sesko channelled his inner Roy Keane as he savoured his maiden Old Trafford strike.

Following his debut goal in the defeat at Brentford, the Slovenian was delighted to find the net in a victorious display against the Black Cats after Mount’s expertly-taken opener.

With words that would echo the no-nonsense club legend’s sentiments, Sesko told MUTV: “It’s my job to try to score as many goals as possible, try to win the game, try to help the team in every single situation and hopefully I get more moments like this.”

Reflecting on his fairy-tale moment against Sunderland, Sesko said: “To play for a club like this, even train every day, is an obvious pleasure and I’m looking forward to being back [after the international break].

“It feels amazing [to score]. It feels even better because I helped the team to win the game because in the end, it’s important to win the match. I try to help the team as much as possible.”