New head coach Ruben Amorim says Manchester United are “a massive club but not a massive team” as he tries to steer them back towards the top of the English game.
United have improved since Erik ten Hag was sacked on 28 October.
But Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, combined with results elsewhere, means they have climbed just one place in the Premier League table to 13th since Ten Hag’s exit.
Amorim, whose team host Nottingham Forest on Saturday (17:30 GMT) admits his side were second best at Arsenal – and that the game provided a reality check.
“That is very clear,” he said. “We are a massive club but we are not a massive team. We know it, so there is no problem to say it.”
That, however, does not mean the club should reset their targets, according to Amorim, who began work as United boss on 11 November.
He said he accepts the storied history of the club means the demands will always be sky high.
“We’re not one of the best teams in the league,” he said. “We have to say and think that clearly.
“But [in] our past, our club is maybe the best one in the league. So here we have a problem. We have to focus on the little details, then we will improve as a team.”
At the start of his reign, Amorim said he wanted his players to work hard.
United’s players have, over the past few years, faced accusations of lacking effort, during a turbulent period which has brought the arrival and departure of a series of managers.
The issue presently is the number of games they are playing. Amorim has started his time at United with 11 games in 37 days – his old club Sporting have seven in the same period – which makes it impossible to develop fitness.
And not until that happens can supporters expect their team to be challenging again.
“If we want to win the Premier League, we have to run like mad dogs,” said Amorim. “Even with the best starting XI on the planet, without running they will win nothing.”
Amorim wants players to applaud Man Utd fans
Amorim has told his players it is more important to applaud United fans after defeats than victories.
Striker Marcus Rashford left the field before the rest of his team-mates after the defeat at Emirates Stadium, sparking criticism.
Asked about the incident, without naming Rashford directly, Amorim said it was important to acknowledge supporters who had backed their team.
“We have to do it,” he said. “Especially when we lose. Everyone has to do it. It has to be like that.”
Amorin explains Man Utd rainbow top dilemma
Amorim also discussed the last-minute decision before last weekend’s victory over Everton not to wear rainbow tracksuits to walk out on to the pitch.
The move was set to be part of United’s contribution to the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign, to show support for the LGBTQ+ community.
However, Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui refused to wear the top on religious grounds.
In the past, United have worn shirts with poppies over the Remembrance period when midfielder Nemanja Matic said he would not because of an attack on his home village in Serbia by Nato forces during the Balkan conflict. On this occasion, United’s players opted against letting Mazraoui stand out.
“There’s three difficult things to manage,” said Amorim, who revealed he had no part in the decision.
“On one side, it’s club values. But then you have religion and it’s our values to respect other opinions. And the third thing is the group. I won’t leave Nous alone, we’re a team.
“The majority of the players believe in one thing but they saw one guy alone and said: Let’s be together.
“It’s a hard issue to address. There’s no doubt what this club believes and fights for. We need to respect everything – but we also need to respect the religion of Nous and his culture.”
