Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim criticised his side’s defensive approach after their 1-1 Premier League draw at Fulham on 24 August, suggesting that a cautious mindset cost his team the victory.
United had taken the lead through an own goal by Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, but their advantage was short-lived. Substitute Emile Smith Rowe levelled the score just 93 seconds after coming on, leaving the visitors with only one point from their first two league matches.
“We scored the goal and then we forgot about how we play,” Amorim told the BBC. “We want to win so badly, and that is a good feeling, that we scored. But everyone on the pitch was thinking, ‘Let’s hold onto the advantage and try to win the game.’ For me, that is the moment we should enjoy more and continue to push the opponent.”
Amorim added that United’s high pressing left significant gaps at the back, exposing the side to Fulham’s counter-attacks. “We have to grow up a lot as a team. The most important thing is that the players were working really hard during the week, and today we worked hard as well. We will improve. The moment that changed the game was our goal.”
A key moment in the match came when skipper Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty awarded after a VAR review, sending it over the bar. It was the fifth penalty Fernandes has missed since his Premier League debut in 2020.
“I think he is not used to missing penalties,” Amorim told Sky Sports. “He knows the importance of this moment and the huge impact it can have on the team. During the game he was not happy because he was not fully involved. He carries so much responsibility and thought missing the penalty was a big setback for us.”
Despite the slow start to the campaign, Amorim remained optimistic about United’s league prospects. “We just want to win games. The players know they are playing at a club where they need to be better,” he said.