Amorim reflects on Man Utd’s 1-0 defeat to Wolves

Abdullateef Fowewe

Manchester United’s Premier League struggles deepened with a 1-0 home loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, marking their 15th league defeat this season, a tally not seen since 1989-90.

Wolves secured victory through Pablo Sarabia’s stunning free kick 13 minutes from time, after a largely flat first half from United who managed just one shot on target before Bruno Fernandes injected some life off the bench in the second half.

Manager Ruben Amorim acknowledged the team’s shortcomings candidly post-match saying, “We lack a lot. The idea needs time. I have no idea how long it will take to turn things around, but we must improve day by day and focus on the next game.”

Despite chances created late on, including two missed by Mason Mount, United failed to capitalise and remain perilously close to the relegation zone in 14th place, now level on points with Wolves.

Amorim also reflected on the setback, “Of course, when you lose, it’s a step back. We tried hard even with difficulties, but we must continue and focus on improvement,” he added.

“If you look at the game, we were the better team but in the end it doesn’t matter.

“If we don’t score goals, nothing matters because in the end it is the result that counts, especially in these kinds of moments.

“We create a lot of chances, we controlled the game. We blocked some good players from the opponent and then one set-piece changes the game and that’s it. It’s really frustrating to end the game like this.

“We say to the fans the truth: that we lack a lot of things in our team, that we miss chances, that if we don’t score goals we are not going to win.

“We have a lot to do and to focus on in improving the team step by step and understanding that until the end of the league it’s going to be like this and then we need to do something.”

United, who face Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-finals, desperately need Hojlund to end a miserable run of one goal in his last 28 games.

Asked if he could take him out of the spotlight, even with Joshua Zirkzee’s season-ending injury, Amorim replied, “No. I think if you look at the games, we have several players that miss big chances, not just Rasmus.

“But of course, Rasmus, the aim is to score goals because he’s a striker, but it’s a team thing. I already said that. Our team should score more goals and it’s not just Rasmus missing chances.

“The only way I know is to work on him, show him the videos. Like you said, he needs to score a goal – he will not score if he is out (of the team) so I try to manage that during games. But he needs to score one. Maybe that’s all a striker needs.”

However, the defeat extended Wolves’ winning streak and handed them a league double over United for the first time since 1979-80, underscoring Manchester United’s ongoing domestic woes.

Fans expressed frustration not only with the team’s performance but also with off-field issues, unveiling banners protesting new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe’s plans to relocate some supporters to accommodate VIP guests next season.

As the season nears its end, the question remains how quickly Amorim can instill the changes needed to rescue a faltering campaign.