Ruben Amorim admitted Manchester United’s stoppage-time 2-1 Europa League win over Rangers was “truly needed in this moment”.
It followed Sunday’s dismal 3-1 defeat by Brighton and was only a second victory at Old Trafford since mid-December. It also came after the head coach describing his team as possibly the poorest of the club’s history, though he subsequently said he regretted the comment.
A Jack Butland own-goal was equalised by Cyriel Dessers’ 88th-minute strike before Bruno Fernandes’ winner in the 92nd minute. Amorim said: “It was a victory that we truly needed in this moment. It was fair for us to win the game, a game we knew would be tough.”
Alejandro Garnacho was among United’s better performers. He is being targeted by Napoli and Chelsea, with the latter club the winger’s preference. Amorim refused to say if this was his last game for United at Old Trafford.
“I’m focused on the games and he’s here, he’s a player for Manchester United,” the 39-year-old said. “He was really important for us today and let’s see in the next days [of the transfer window]. I think he’s improving in every aspect of the game, he was better today playing inside [as the No 10], also outside, changing positions; he’s improving the recovering position.
“You can see it until 90 minutes he’s always there recovering and helping, sometimes showing some frustration and that is good because he wants more.
“He has potential to be so much better in every situation in the game. What I can say is he understood what I was trying to do, was really clear, I just want to help them but in the end it’s them that do the job.”
United are yet to make a signing in January. Amorim brushed off whether it would help to have some players he has chosen. “It’s not other manager’s players,” he said. “Now they are my players. And then you know the [financial] situation of the club. My focus is on the next game. I understand the question but they are my players at the moment.”
Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro are doubts for Sunday’s trip to Fulham after suffering knocks.
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United are to launch an investigation into the registered holders who sold tickets to a sizeable number of Rangers fans for seats in home supporter areas, with the club planning to take the strongest possible sanctions against any guilty party.
This occurred despite United only allocating tickets to their fans who were on the club database before the competition draw in August, with the same applying to sale of hospitality seats. Tickets forwarded by season-ticket holders and members also had this same restriction.
