Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes echoed Ruben Amorim's sentiments after the manager said he was “really angry” with his players despite their 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Lisandro Martinez gave the improved Red Devils a shock lead at Anfield, with Liverpool having turned the score around before. Amad Diallo equalized To leave Fernandes baffled by his new team's previous losing streak of four straight defeats.
“I'm very upset,” said Fernandes, who returned from suspension and set up Martinez's opener as United scored against Liverpool for the first time since 2018.
“If we showed this level at Liverpool… why can't we do it everywhere? It frustrates me. Also, I finally had a proper (individual) performance. We said we need more from ourselves to get more from this season.
“We made a real effort. Playing with passion and heart is what will give you something out of the game. You have to put in an effort and that's why we took something away. It can't stop here.”
“Why can't we do this every week…”
Bruno Fernandes says his team need to offer more if they are to fight for a higher position in the Premier League table 📈 pic.twitter.com/SDk0D1tEl2
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Amorim: “I have to calm down”
United fell to fourteenth place before facing the competitors 23 points above themwith the most successful team in Premier League history just seven points above the relegation zone.
They have lost their previous three matches without scoring, including a 2-0 loss at home to Newcastle on Monday, in which both goals came in the first 20 minutes.
“I get more angry because of the other matches, so it becomes difficult to understand some things,” Amorim said, reiterating his belief that the problem is not trying to make players feel comfortable using his preferred 3-4-3 formation.
“It's not about the system… it's about something else. I have to calm down (before speaking to the players) and say the right things.
“We are in a difficult moment but it is difficult not to be really angry. We have to do that against any opponents. We have to fight hard to get out of this situation. I am really angry because of the other matches.”
“I feel more angry because of the other matches… We need to fight hard to get out of this situation.”
Ruben Amorim says today's result made him 'really mad' over Manchester United's previous results across the Premier League 😯 pic.twitter.com/MNIvEAAlVWo
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
Fernandes: United need points
United could have inflicted only Liverpool's second defeat in all competitions with the final attack of the match, but defender Harry Maguire fired a shot over the bar from close range into space.
“We have been fairly criticized,” Fernandez said. “Our position in the table says it all: we lost a lot of points.
“Even today, we cannot be happy with one point. We need the points and we could have won the game in the end, but it is a fair result. Both teams played good football.”
After a three-match unbeaten start in all competitions following his arrival in November, Amorim saw his side lose six of their next seven home matches, barring a late comeback win over defending champions Manchester City.
The team travels to second-placed Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday (3 p.m. GMT) before hosting bottom-placed Southampton in the English Premier League the following Thursday (8 p.m.).
“It is the best performance under Ruben Amorim…” @GNev2 He says Manchester United must keep their heads up in the Premier League! 👑 pic.twitter.com/xfKdZw7hGU
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025
United 'need to suffer'
“It's the way we face the game, the way we compete,” Amorim said of United's problems. “You don't need training for that.
“The important thing is not to relax and forget about tomorrow and then go back to the same behavior in the next match.
“I will try to remind these players that we need to suffer. It's part of our job. I guarantee you I'm really trying to follow the basics.
