Amorim Admits Manchester United Face Uphill Battle Amid Injuries and Protests

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has expressed concerns he won't receive the same level of patience as Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, as he struggles to turn the team's season around.

Ruben Amorim, the current Manchester United manager, has expressed doubts about receiving the same level of patience and time that Mikel Arteta was afforded to revitalize Arsenal's fortunes. Amorim took over at Old Trafford in November, succeeding Erik ten Hag, but has since struggled to turn things around.

Under Amorim's leadership, Manchester United has slipped to 14th in the Premier League and been eliminated from both domestic cup competitions. As a result, the Europa League remains their sole hope for securing silverware and, more realistically, continental qualification. The team's prospects look bleak, especially with an upcoming match against an in-form Arsenal side that recently thrashed PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the Champions League.

Mikel Arteta's transformation of Arsenal has been impressive, with the Gunners now a dominant force in English football. Arteta's bold decisions, including the removal of senior players, have paid off since his appointment in late 2019. Arsenal is on track for a third consecutive second-place finish in the Premier League and will visit Manchester United on Sunday, posing a significant challenge for Amorim's struggling side.

Ruben Amorim was asked if he saw parallels between Mikel Arteta's situation at Arsenal and his own role at Manchester United. Amorim replied, “I don't feel that. I will not have the time that Arteta had. I feel that. It's a different club. So, we just need to survive with the players on Sunday and during these games.” He acknowledged that Arteta's experience at Arsenal is an inspiration, but emphasized that he will not have the same luxury of time.

Manchester United recently secured a 1-1 draw away to Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie. However, the team was severely depleted, with 11 first-team players missing from the squad. Amorim noted, “We need to survive Sunday. The team was so tired in the last 20 minutes. We have to prepare Sunday and then think about this important game for our season on Thursday (the return leg against Real Sociedad).”

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Amorim does not expect any of his injured players to recover in time for the upcoming match against Arsenal. Harry Maguire and Manuel Ugarte have recently joined the lengthy casualty list at Old Trafford, further depleting the team's already limited options.

Manchester United's injury woes continue, with Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, and Luke Shaw remaining sidelined. Additionally, Jonny Evans, Altay Bayindir, and Tom Heaton are also out, while Patrick Dorgu is suspended.

A protest against United's US owners, the Glazers, is planned around the game by the 1958 fan group. Ruben Amorim acknowledged the challenging situation, saying, “I think for everybody in our club it's a really tough moment. It's everything at the same time. The only thing I can do, and our players can do, is perform well and win.”

Regarding the planned protest, Amorim expressed his understanding, stating, “People have the right to protest. I think it's a good thing to do that. It's part of our club. Everybody has a voice.” However, he emphasized his primary focus, saying, “But our job and my job is just to improve the team and give them something in this moment because they deserve it and they are amazing.”