'I want to maintain some calm' - Ruben Amorim refuses to get carried away despite Liverpool win as he insists 'the narrative would be completely different' had Cody Gakpo taken chances

United put years of torment to bed following their win over Liverpool last Sunday. Goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire helped the club record their first victory on their bitter rivals’ patch since 2016, when Wayne Rooney settled a tight affair under Louis van Gaal’s stewardship. United’s recent victory over Liverpool was also the first time they registered back-to-back Premier League wins under Amorim, following the 2-0 triumph over Sunderland earlier this month.

However, while United are understandably in fine fettle following such an elusive win, Amorim insists it is important his players do not get carried away, reminding them that Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo - who hit the woodwork three times during the game - was desperately close to extending his side’s wait for a victory on Merseyside.

When asked about his comments after the Liverpool game, when Amorim told the media they should “carry on with their narrative” about United, and whether he and his players feed off such doubts, the former Sporting CP boss said: “No, what I mean is that we cannot change so much. I think they ask me about top four in the end of the question. So, I don't want to change so much with the difference of 20 centimetres. If [Cody] Gakpo shot 20 centimetres here, the narrative would be completely different. So, I just want to maintain some calm, some direction in what we are doing. That’s what I mean. 

“There is doubts if you are a manager in this kind of club, [and] you don't win a lot of games, people are going to doubt you. And they have reasons for that, but my point of view is that we need to be clear on our path and not changing so much because we win one game, that's all.”

United’s quest for a third straight victory under Amorim will not be easy as Brighton head to Old Trafford in fine form themselves. The Seagulls are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions, recording league victories over Chelsea and Newcastle alongside a Carabao Cup triumph over League One side Barnsley. Fabian Hurzeler’s men have also recorded draws against Tottenham and Wolves during that run, helping the club rise to 10th in the table and just one point behind United.

“I think it's going to be like always, but it's going to be a very difficult game,” said Amorim. “I think Brighton is a team [that is] really fun to watch. They are really good on [the] build-up. They are really strong on transitions in every aspect of the game. They are doing well in set-pieces this season. So, I think they are a team that is really complete, and we need to be really smart, and to face that game with a real focus on everything that we do, because they are a very strong team.

“You can see by the way they play the game. Really intense, the quality is there. They believe a lot in what they are doing, even under pressure. So, I'm a huge fan of Fabian.”

United could come up against summer transfer target Carlos Baleba when they lock horns with Brighton. Amorim’s side were keen to sign the 21-year-old but walked away from discussions after learning the south coast club valued the Cameroon international at around £115 million (€132m/$153m) - the same fee they received from Chelsea for Moises Caicedo in 2023. United are also poised to face former striker Danny Welbeck, who has been in fine form for Brighton this season. A United academy graduate, the 34-year-old has scored four goals in eight league games this term.