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‘Embarrassed’ Amorim says relegation battle for Man Utd a ‘possibility’ after 2-0 loss to Newcastle

An ’embarrassed’ Ruben Amorim says it’s a ‘possibility’ Man Utd will be in relegation battle after 2-0 loss to Newcastle.

The struggling Manchester United fall to a fifth Premier League defeat in six games and a fourth in a row in all competitions. They sit 14th with 22 points from 19 games played, and just 7 points above the drop zone.

They are also 10 points from 5th place Newcastle, who were worthy 2-0 winners at Old Trafford, Alexander Isak and Joelinton with the goals.

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim speaking to Sky Sports on whether his club are in a relegation battle: “That is really clear and we have to fight. It is a really difficult moment, one of the more difficult moments in the history of Manchester United and we have to address it with honesty and to be clear with that, we have to fight next game.”

On whether he will change anything: “I change something tactical in every game. You focus on the three defenders, you can focus on that. I change for every game and you can see it. If I did not believe I would change because I am not stubborn. I believe in something and I really stick on that.”

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim speaking to BBC: “It is really hard. It is one of the worst moments in the history of our club, and we have to accept that. Another loss in front of our own supporters.

“In this moment it is really tough to turn around results because we don’t have a lot of time to train the base of the way we want to play. In the bad situations you need that base to hold on to. In the second half they really tried, it was more like the value of the team. “We were close to scoring once but they were better.

“Yes we are [too easy to score against] but also in some moments we had some chances to score and didn’t and that also makes a difference.”

On whether this season may be a battle to avoid the drop: “I think that it is a possibility and we have to be clear with our fans. We have to change something but this season will be really hard on everybody. It can make us stronger and we have to fight.”

On the early change: “That is really simple when the game starts and finishes for people to address. The idea was different. It was a real tough moment for Josh [Zirkzee] and I felt that I had to do something in that moment. I don’t like to do that to my players. In that moment the team was suffering and I made the decision thinking of the team. I am really sorry for Josh.”

“You can feel it [low confidence] every single day which is a bad thing but it is also a good thing because they are feeling. It is hard for them to cope with the losses on the pitch but we have to continue. There is no other way.

On Marcus Rashford: “Every player on the bench is close to going on the pitch.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe speaking to Sky Sports: “I don’t know about the win being a statement but for us we knew that we have to try to keep building on the momentum that we had built in recent weeks. We have had a really good look about us, a strong, confident team and I am happy we were able to continue that at a ground that hasn’t been kind to Newcastle over the years. It is a big win psychologically.

“Regardless of where we play we still have to be the same team, stick to the same principles. The players were very good in that early period of the game, we dominated the play. At 2-0 the game changes but I was really pleased with that opening spell.

“[Alexander Isak] is getting to his best. For his goal he was where he needs to be, right in the middle of the six yard box. I am pleased that he is finding himself in the place it matters most and he is affecting the game in a way that only he can. We believe in him, we believe in his talent, he can really make the difference for us.

“We are moving in the right direction defensively. It has not always been easy, particularly chopping and changing earlier on in the season, but we look to have a solid, settled back line and that has made a difference for us.

“We will have to shuffle things with Fabian’s [Schar] suspension but I am hoping that we will still find a way to defend well.

“The direction of travel is to Totteham now. We have a run of tough away games with Arsenal after that. We will try to enjoy them and approach them in the same way that we approached this one.

“Time will tell. We have to prove everything. There is the talent in the squad to match that one [the team that qualified for Champions League] but we have to get the points.

“The first thing is to keep the players that we have [in the transfer window]. We have a good balance to the team and the squad and we don’t want to lose anyone. We have people fighting for places and we don’t want to disturb that.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe speaking to BBC: “We know this has been an unkind fixture to us for a long, long time. To almost break new ground here and win in the manner that we did is really pleasing.

“Early in the season we were on the other end of it by conceding early goals and it makes such a difference [reversing it]. We gave ourselves mountains to climb at times, particularly on the road, and it is great to reverse it the last few games. Those goals have helped with momentum and confidence and from that point we have never looked back.

“[Alexander Isak] has been really, really good. His all round game is really strong. He can do a bit of everything. Most importantly he needs to be in the right place at the right time to score goals. Early in the match it was a great cross from Lewis Hall and Alex was there with the header.

“Really pleased for Martin and the back line, the whole team really, for the clean sheet. Historically we have prided ourselves on being strong defensively and it is great to see us returning to that.

“Confidence is the ultimate thing that makes the difference. The players are playing in their best positions and look happy and comfortable and our injury record has also improved from last year.”

Newcastle forward Alexander Isak speaking to Sky Sports: “We haven’t won here in a long time and it was a very good performance from us. A great way to end the year.

“Our intensity was really good. We started off the game with high energy, high regains and counter attacks. The challenge was to have the same intensity here as we play with at home, and we did that in the first half. It paid off with the two goals and we could have scored more.

“We have been much better lately playing away from home. The challenge is to match the intensity home and away, and we have done that in recent weeks. We have been consistent in our performances which is good to see.

“[Playing against a three man defence] is all about trying to be in a good position. I got a goal early and it led to me being marked a bit more for the rest of the game, but that probably opened up the second goal for Joelinton when they were more focused on me.”

Newcastle midfielder Joelinton speaking to Sky Sports: “There is still a long way to go but the team is improving. A good performance away from home today, three points, two goals, clean sheet. Great mentality from the boys from start to finish to defend our goal and score two to win the game.

“We knew we were not playing in the way we wanted to play before, the intensity, the quality, scoring goals, but we just kept working hard every day on the training pitch with positivity. Then when you start to win and score goals the confidence comes back

“Belief is high. We started really well and scored the two goals, we could have scored more but didn’t and then we lost a bit of control. At the end the most important is the three points and job done.

“[Alexander Isak] is amazing. It is so good to have him and to play alongside him because he is one of the best strikers in the world right now and I hope he continues scoring goals and playing amazing because it is good for us.

“I knew it was a goal, I headed the ball. Thank you God it was given. Very happy to score one more goal and help the team to win.

“Time will tell how good we are but we are enjoying football right now. We have to be humble and keep our feet on the ground because there is a long way to go.

“I have had a good year and I am really happy with how things are going for me and for the team in the last weeks too. I just have to keep going into the new year doing the same.

“The whole team are very ambitious. We played Champions League last year and it is in our mind to get back there. It is a long way to go until the end of the season so I don’t think we should be looking too much at the table. The ambition of the team is of course to get in Europe again. We just need to take one game at a time.

“There are many great strikers out there. I try to watch football and take different things from many players. I want to be more mobile in my game, for example today scoring headers, I have scored some more this season which is not my game, but I want to be a threat in every part of the game.”

Here’s how fans reacted as an ’embarrassed’ Amorim says a relegation battle for Man Utd is a ‘possibility’ after the 2-0 loss to Newcastle…

@ughreece_: They’re truely in their Woy Hodgson era and I’m all here for it

@Dan19LFC: Not sure what he has to gain from saying this. Maybe to embarrass the players into actually trying a bit. But if a relegation battle is where a billion pound squad with a giant wage bill finds itself, then it reflects incredibly poorly on him too

@psb_group: Football fans 🤯🤦🏻😂 As if they are calling for his head already. That Man United side is absolutely shocking! They are not his players. I mean this from the bottom of my heart, I hope they go down 😂

@LewisWissett: Saying it how it is! Respect! As ralf said years ago, the club needs open heart surgery and it’s still the case today! Fucking disgraceful that last night

@CariadFfisio: Wohoaaa no Man Utd manager should ever be thinking that. And they won’t be anywhere near the mix for it as there are at least at this moment in time 12 worse teams

@CalFinnigan: How the mighty have fallen hahahaha. Will never get bored of this demise, long may it continue

@bmacfarlane_1: What I wouldn’t give for them to get relegated – all thought McTominay was the root cause for them being shite for nearly a decade since Sir Alex retired. Fucking idiot fanbase man.

@thejamieherd: Hahaha fucking hell. Id give my right bollock for these to go down

@callummchal3: Please, please just please let it happen 😂😂😂😂😂

@safx41: omg they’ve just had their roy hodgson moment.

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