Manchester United were dealt a double blow just moments before the half-time break against Ipswich Town.
The Red Devils overcame an early mix-up between Patrick Dorgu and Andre Onana to take the lead at Old Trafford. From then onwards, Manchester United were growing in confidence and taking control of the Premier League clash.
But United’s dominance was short-lived as Dorgu was sent off for a reckless challenge and just minutes later Ipswich Town scored an equaliser that piled even more pressure on Ruben Amorim.
United’s 10-men returned for the final 45 minutes and were able to snatch all three points with Harry Maguire scoring United’s third set-piece goal of the game just two minutes into the second half.
Amorim then told United to defend deep and his side nullified Ipswich’s attack to earn a much-needed three points.
What Ruben Amorim told Man United players at half-time
At Goodison Park last week, Amorim’s half-time team talk inspired a second-half comeback against Everton led by United captain Bruno Fernandes.
This time around, United were drawing 2-2 at the break and needed encouragement to go and win the game despite being a man down.
After Matthijs de Ligt scored his first Old Trafford goal, he spoke after the game and revealed exactly what Amorim told his players to do at half-time.
As reported by Manchester Evening News, De Ligt said: “He [Amorim] said we were still in the game. Obviously we conceded two goals, but I never had the feeling they had so many big chances or like they were getting close to our goal. I think the message was also to keep believing.
“Also, he [Amorim] said to be brave in the second half and I think you could see that immediately with the corner kick that we got, and we scored to make it 3-2, so that was the message.”
Ruben Amorim told Man United players ‘to be brave’
Amorim has been transparent about the lack of confidence in his current United squad, but he had enough trust in his players to go and get the win despite Dorgu’s red card.
Amorim wanted a quick start after a terrible first half against Everton, but he got quite the opposite when Onana’s mistake handed Ipswich an easy opener.
However, United kept to their task and finally started to show glimpses of what Amorim has been working on in training.
READ MORE: 80th minute moment during Man Utd vs Ipswich proves why Ruben Amorim’s unsung hero is undroppable
Taking Alejandro Garnacho off after the red card was a controversial move, but Amorim has mastered set pieces at United and he wanted to keep Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirzkee on for their height and physicality.
He rolled the dice and it paid off. There hasn’t been much to celebrate in Amorim’s first four months, but he deserves credit for his bold decisions against Ipswich.
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