Amorim Urges Manchester United to “Grow Up” After Draw with Fulham

Manchester United’s challenging start to the season continued as they drew 1-1 against Fulham at Craven Cottage on August 26, 2023. This result marks a winless beginning for the team, as they had already lost 1-0 to Arsenal in their opening match. United now finds itself with just one point from two games, prompting manager Ruben Amorim to call for greater maturity among his players.

After a promising start, Manchester United took the lead in the 58th minute when Leny Yoro‘s header deflected into the net. This moment followed a missed penalty by Bruno Fernandes in the first half, a setback that weighed heavily on the team. Fulham equalized just 15 minutes later, with substitute Emile Smith Rowe scoring to deny United a much-needed victory.

Amorim emphasized the need for his team to improve their mentality in matches. “We scored the goal and then we forgot about how we play,” he stated. He expressed concern that the players’ eagerness to maintain their lead led to gaps in their defense, allowing Fulham to capitalize on their mistakes. “We tried to press the opponent super high and left a lot of space,” he noted, highlighting a tactical error that contributed to the team’s inability to secure the win.

The manager underscored the importance of winning to restore confidence and maintain focus, particularly after a missed opportunity to extend their lead. “You need to win to have the feeling to relax a little bit,” he explained. “Now we have to move forward no matter what happens.”

Looking ahead, Manchester United will face a challenging fixture in the Carabao Cup against League Two’s Grimsby Town on August 30, 2023. Amorim’s squad will need to recover quickly as they aim to turn around their fortunes early in the season.

Despite the struggles, Amorim remains optimistic about his summer signings, which cost the club approximately £200 million. Players including Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko have yet to score this season, but he reassured fans that the team is generating ample scoring opportunities. “The goals, we are going to score because we are creating so many chances,” he remarked.

Amorim acknowledged the challenges faced by Sesko, who is adapting to the faster pace of the English game after moving from the Bundesliga. He believes the young striker will find his rhythm with time and support from his teammates.

As Manchester United seeks to regain its footing in the Premier League, the spotlight will be on how the team responds to Amorim’s call for maturity and improved performance in the upcoming matches. The pressure is mounting, and fans will be eager to see if the team can turn its season around in the coming weeks.