After Manchester United’s dramatic 3-1 win over Southampton, manager Ruben Amorim didn’t hold back in his post-match analysis, calling out four key players for failing to meet his expectations during the hard-fought victory.
While Amad Diallo’s stunning 12-minute hat-trick secured all three points for United, helping them avoid a fourth consecutive home defeat, the game was far from smooth sailing. The Red Devils struggled significantly in the first half, with Manuel Ugarte’s own goal handing Southampton the advantage going into the break.
In his comments, Amorim admitted that while tiredness was a factor, the pressure of playing at Old Trafford has also been a contributing issue for his team. “It’s not just tiredness but playing in this stadium, we lost the last three games here,” Amorim said. “The pressure is different because we try to press the opponent in the build-up, and you can feel the difficulties.”
The manager also made it clear that certain players were not performing to the standards expected. He specifically mentioned four players who failed to show the necessary enthusiasm or energy, which he felt had impacted the team’s overall performance. Though he didn’t reveal the exact names, the criticism pointed towards a lack of urgency and focus, especially in the first half when Southampton took control of the match.
Despite the individual brilliance of Amad Diallo, who once again proved to be the match-winner for United, Amorim highlighted that the team must address their inconsistencies if they are to build a more solid foundation for the remainder of the season. The win, though crucial, masked deeper issues that still need resolving if United is to challenge for higher positions in the Premier League.