RUBEN AMORIM has warned Manchester United’s supporters to expect even MORE suffering.
The new Red Devils boss had to settle for a scrappy point in his first game in charge against relegation battlers Ipswich.
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Marcus Rashford’s strike after just 81 seconds was cancelled out by a deflected Omari Hutchinson effort.
It leaves United 12th in the Premier League table — a massive 15 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Frustrated Amorim admitted his “confused” players must improve EVERY aspect of their game.
The Portuguese said: “They are very good players but we have to improve physically, technically and tactically and we need time to do that.
“We are going to suffer for a long period and we will try to win games — but this will take time.
“Decision-making is a concern, you don’t need to coach them at this level. We are doing some things not in the right moment and that’s what we have to address.
“In the first half they were a little bit afraid. We only had two days so they are confused. We have to be so much better physically to cope.
“It’s hard to expect anything now. But by this time next year, I promise we won’t have the same struggles.
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“It was a tough match. We started very well but then we should have had more of the ball, we gave it away too much.
“The second half, we didn’t play very well but we controlled the game better. We created better chances than Ipswich but we have to find more time to work with the players because we can do much better.”
United, who have won just four league games all season, needed keeper Andre Onana to twice deny Liam Delap to avoid suffering a shock defeat at Portman Road. And Amorim added: “We have to win games but we could have lost if it was not for Onana, so we have to understand that and be pragmatic.
“These guys had just two days to train to change so much.
“It’s so clear for everybody that he saved us two times.
“One important thing is he did long balls and tried to connect with players, that was good. He understood the idea. He did a great job.”
Cameroonian stopper Onana, 28, said: “We are such a big club so there is no time to cry, we have to move on. Better days will come, it will not rain forever here.”
‘WE NEED TO ROTATE’
Next up for Amorim are Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt at home in the Europa League on Thursday, which kicks off a run of ten games in just 32 days across three competitions.
The 39-year-old’s first Premier League game at Old Trafford is Everton on Sunday lunchtime.
Amorim is aware of United’s busy schedule in the next month and said: “Everybody is going to play, everybody is going to be on the bench.
“With this schedule, we need to rotate the team.”
On his first experience of the English top-flight, Amorim said: “You are lucky guys. You have the best by far — the best league in the world. And you see this every weekend.
“But to tell the truth, when the game starts it’s the same thing since I was in the third division.
“I’m so focused on the game and I’m playing with my players inside the pitch. But yes, you do have the best league in the world.”
Asked about how Amorim has changed things since Erik ten Hag’s axing, Portugal defender Diogo Dalot, 25, said: “He has impacted straight away. The way he transmits ideas is really clear. We just need to put it into practice now.
“We just need to be ready. For the standard of this club we have to get information really quick.
“We have only been together with the international players for two or three days, so you have to give credit to everyone.”
Man Utd ratings vs Ipswich as Onana saves Amorim from embarrassment in first game as boss
MANCHESTER UNITED began the Ruben Amorim era with a 1-1 draw away at Ipswich.
Marcus Rashford needed just 81 seconds to put the Red Devils in front at Portman Road, tapping home an Amad Diallo cross.
But Ipswich hit back when Omari Hutchinson’s strike flew in via a deflection off Noussair Mazraoui.
And it was the newly-promoted side who looked likelier to get a winner in the second half.
Here is how SunSport’s Charlie Wyett saw the performances of the Man Utd players…
ANDRE ONANA – 7/10
United’s best player. Two key stops to deny Liam Delap but no chance for the deflected Omari Hutchinson goal.
Then delivered an 87th minute save to keep out an effort from Conor Chaplin.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 5
Slotted in on the right of the three-man defence but unfortunate with the deflection for the goal.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 5
Has been suspect this season and will probably be better suited to a back three although still given a tough time by Delap.
JONNY EVANS – 5
The 36-year-old was targeted by Ipswich for his lack of pace and no surprise he was replaced.
AMAD DIALLO – 6
Did incredibly well to bomb past Jens Cajuste and deliver the cross for Rashford’s early goal but offered little else.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 5
Some nice touches going forward but too lightweight in this position in front of the back three.
CASEMIRO – 4
Lucky to start ahead of Manuel Ugarte and was really poor.
Struggled throughout before being subbed and could maybe have got a block to the Hutchinson shot.
DIOGO DALOT – 5
Not suited to left wing-back although stayed there when Luke Shaw arrived because the English international replaced Evans in the back three.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 5
Some of his link-up play was fine but United need a captain who can inspire this team and Fernandes is not the man.
Sent a free-kick flashing past the post with 12 minutes left.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 5
Twice called over by Ruben Amorim in the first half for instructions.
Denied by a decent save from Aro Muric 50 seconds into the second half.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 6
Criticised for his basketball trip to New York so to score after 80 seconds was two fingers up at his critics – but did not offer much after that.
Subs
Ugarte (for Casemiro 56 mins) – 6
Shaw (for Evans 56 mins) – 6
Hojlund (for Rashford 67 mins) – 5
Zirkzee ( for Eriksen 67 mins) – 5
Mount (for Garnacho 87 mins) – 5
