If Ruben Amorim was looking at this season as a time to learn about his squad, he’s learned some harsh lessons and continues to do so.
The latest one came in Man Utd’s 0-2 loss to West Ham United, where the team put in a limp display despite being at near full strength.
Ex-Red Devil Aaron Wan-Bissaka shone at his former hunting ground while Ruben Amorim’s challenge to his team failed miserably.
He has a real headache now for the Europa League final because even he would have known somewhere within himself that that challenge would only have one result.
Ruben Amorim’s challenge to Man Utd before West Ham
Amorim knows his players pretty well by now, which is why his words after the 4-1 win against Athletic were so notable at first glance.
While everyone was eager to revel in the glory of reaching the Europa League final, he set a challenge for his players for the next PL game.
Amorim said that the final should serve as motivation for the players, using their game time in the league to stake a claim for a place in that XI for the final.
He said: “Of course, they will fight for the places. They will be ready, and excited, not just for the final but also to prepare for the Premier League. Something in our mind that we can win is going to be massive.”
He knew that complacency would set in the squad, so he threw them a carrot, a potential place in the biggest game of the season where heroes can be made.
Needless to say, not only did the players disappoint him, but it was entirely expected too.
Amorim’s fury after West Ham loss
It was clear after the loss to West Ham that Amorim expected a reaction from the players in this game but was let down massively.
He threatened to walk away if the next season starts like this one is ending and warned of large-scale changes in the offing.
There is a clear mentality issue in the squad because only that can explain the bipolar performances on a weekly basis.
When the team wants to win and is determined to do so, there is a palpable sense of urgency in everything they do, something which Amorim admitted himself.
That has something to do with the manager, who is clearly hurting after every defeat but is failing to transmit that sense of urgency to the players.
However, wanting to win is not something that the players should need the manager for, and if they do, then the manager is the least of the problems.
In the future, this West Ham game might end up as the one where everything changed for Amorim in terms of his outlook on the current squad. It has to.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
