Amorim on injuries, helping staff families and being under pressure

[ASFN Admin]

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been speaking at a media day before the side's Europa League final against Tottenham on 21 May (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Amorim is unsure if players like Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro will be available for the final, but they will push hard to make it "as it is a final and all the players want to play that really bad".
• On Diogo Dalot's fitness: "He is trying really hard. I don't want to risk Dalot because when you start getting one injury, second injury, it is a big thing and we can't have these kinds of problems in the squad so we will see. He is working really hard to get back in the squad."
• On him paying for staff members' families to go to the game in Bilbao: "The situation is simple. You know we have a lot things [going on], people leaving, lots of changes in staff. In this moment for our club, sometimes it is hard to know when to give, when to take, when to respect the people we are taking their jobs in certain moments to survive and rebuild. It is complicated for the club to start giving to other members of staff so it is a really hard position."
• He continued: "That situation was explained and in that moment my reaction was to help. It is not going to change my life. To help the staff to be there, comfortable and be better staff for the final. Then we talk to players and the players had same reaction, so everybody wants staff and families there. It is hard to manage things in this club, so it is a simple thing."
• On comments he made about walking away from the club: "What I'm saying is that since I arrive here, I'm always talking about standards. I can't see the team having these results in Premier League and not say nothing, not take the responsibility. I have a clear idea what to do, I understand the problems of the team. What I am saying is we need to perform. In the future we need to perform or there will be changes, that is a normal thing."
• Getting into the Champions League is "more important" than winning the trophy for Amorim because "Europa League here is not enough" and being in Europe's biggest cup competition is "the best way to help us get into the top in the next few years".
• Amorim said it is "clear" pressure will increase on him and it will be "really bad" if they do not qualify for the Champions League next year: "I don't want to use that as an excuse, and the patience of the fans and you guys next year, if we don't win, it is going to be on the limit."

Catch up on the news conference and the rest of United's media day

You must be registered for see images attach

[BBC]

You must be registered for see images

Continue reading...