Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim was “angry” and “frustrated” as he bemoaned his side’s inability to hold onto all three points against West Ham. The Red Devils seemed poised for back-to-back victories at Old Trafford, with Diogo Dalot putting the hosts ahead in the second half. However, a late equaliser from Soungoutou Magassa, his first Premier League goal, saw the Hammers claw back to secure a draw.
This result leaves United languishing in eighth place in the Premier League standings, missing a golden chance to climb to fifth position. A visibly frustrated Amorim lamented his side’s inability to seal the victory. He needed only a handful of words and said: “I’m frustrated and angry. That’s it.”
He continued: “[The performance] was not constant. We had good moments and we lost control a little bit in the first half and a little bit in the second half after the goal. We should have closed the game when we scored the first one.”
“The game was in control. We knew it. Let’s defend far from the box. We knew set pieces would be a problem with the difference in height in the team but we could do it. We could maintain the ball after the first goal and again we lost two points.”
When questioned about why his team failed to secure the win, Amorim suggested a lack of commitment in challenges and goal-scoring attempts.
He continued: “Just losing second balls. And when they kick the ball long. Mateus [Fernandes] running with the ball. They win the first ball and then Bowen was making the runs. You can’t control that kind of game. We should be better with the ball after the first goal.
“We had a big opportunity with Cunha. We had the ball near the box but the crosses were not good. Sometimes the players’ characteristics inside the box are not good. They are not enough to score goals from that position.”
United will be looking to return to winning form on Monday night when they face struggling Wolves away from home. Amorim has urged his team to rediscover their rhythm to prevent falling further behind in the race for the top four.
He stated: “Everything is important, every game is important. We need to win the next one.”