'We have so much to do' - Ruben Amorim delivers verdict on Man Utd after Amad heroics rescue Red Devils against Southampton

Amorim has not had the same instantaneous impact on Manchester United's form that Red Devils fans had been hoping for when the Portuguese coach was brought on as Erik ten Hag's successor at Old Trafford. However, the performances have been very erratic as United have not necessarily been bad as the side have gotten a few crucial results.

Earlier in the week, Manchester United were able to triumph against Arsenal in the FA Cup as they won the game on penalties after managing the Gunners' threats well. However, just a few days later, Amorim's men were struggling to find their feet at Old Trafford against relegation battlers Southampton as Manuel Ugarte scored a late own-goal in the first half, nonetheless, the Red Devils took home three points as Amad was able to score a 12-minute hat-trick in the dying embers of the clash. Amorim has now provided an update on the team's erratic performances.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Amorim said: “The feeling is that we have so much to do. I felt the team was really tired because of Liverpool, Arsenal for 120 minutes, and then it’s not just tiredness. The physical part of the play and the mental part. It was a win, it’s good, let’s continue. We didn’t do a very good game but in this moment, winning is the most important thing."

When questioned about the team's struggles, Amorim added: “We have difficulties to press high. This team is not used to doing that. It seems like a lack of enthusiasm, Ugarte is late, Mainoo is late, one transition and Leny Yoro cannot catch the guy. These small things push the team behind and we get nervous without the ball.

“But then when you have one goal or one opportunity, you feel like the team can better control the game. I want to be fair with my players. Today was not a lack of enthusiasm, it was a lack of speed and sometimes lack of control of the game.

“The players are not used to playing like that. You have to cover a lot of space, you have to change which player is jumping in the press. With the ball today, we saw we had some patterns when the ball is in the sides of the pitch but then we lose the duels.

“It’s hard to explain it now. We don’t have the training. It’s a different system and it’s so completely different from what they are used to doing. I don’t know how long it will take but you can understand the profile sometimes are not the right ones but we have to improve players and we know the situation of the club.”

The Red Devils will be back in action when they face off against Brighton on Sunday, January 19 and Amorim will be hoping to see a positive performance.