Ruben Amorim addressed the media after Man Utd’s defeat to Newcastle (Image: Getty)
Ruben Amorim has defended Joshua Zirkzee after the Manchester United striker made a beeline for the tunnel in Monday’s 2-0 defeat at home to .
Zirkzee, who has endured a frustrating first season of football, was dragged off just after the half-hour mark with United two goals down. He grabbed a coat from the bench and ran straight back to the dressing room before re-emerging minutes later.
Amorim was sympathetic after the final whistle, telling Sky Sports: “It was really tough for me to do that [take him off], but I’ve spoken to Josh as it was important to express the message. For the team, it was important for Josh to go out.
“I know that Josh is a really good guy. When he went to the tunnel, I can understand that some guys can be in a bad way but he is a really good lad. It is life, and we will support Josh and continue. were better than , they weren’t better than Josh.”
Zirkzee made way for Kobbie Mainoo, who added more control in midfield alongside Christian Eriksen and Casemiro. United kept the Magpies out from that point on, but they were unable to muster a response.
It is now four consecutive defeats and three games without scoring for Amorim, who was appointed just under two months ago. The ‘new manager bounce’ United chiefs were hoping for after replacing never came, and their new manager fears them being pulled into a full-scale relegation scrap.
“That is really clear [United are being dragged into a relegation battle] so we have to fight,” he said. “It is a really difficult moment, one of the more difficult moments in the history of and we have to address it with honesty. We have to fight in the next game.”
Amorim continued: “You cannot go back. We’ve only had four training sessions all together. I will continue to do my idea until the end. It was really hard on us. They were the better team and they started very strong.
“It was very hard for us to turn it around after we conceded the first goal because of the results before and we didn’t have the positioning to cope with the difficult moments. The players suffered a lot on the pitch and it was really hard on us. are a better team.”
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