Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has praised his team’s response after they went down by a goal in the first half on their trip away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
The 20-time English top-flight champions have struggled for consistency, as has been noted by the manager and captain, Bruno Fernandes, on many occasions. They have also struggled with intensity, which has seen them receive the short end of the stick more often than not since Ruben Amorim took over a little over a year ago.
Their trip to Selhurst Park to face Palace looked like it would end up with the same talking points being regurgitated after the first half, but the Red Devils turned on the engine boosts in the second half to stage a comeback win and take all three points back with them to Old Trafford.
Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount, two unlikely goalscorers, helped United to the win. Amorim believes his team woke up in the second half, which helped them secure all three points from a ground that has proven so hard to handle this season.
Speaking after the match, Amorim said, “I think we had more intensity in the second half. We played better in the second half, and the opponent too, in the second half, was more tired. So, everything is connected.
“But again, the small things, the way that Josh controls the ball in the second half, were different. The way we defend second balls was different. So, these small details will make the difference, and then the talent in front, we scored two.”
Speaking of Joshua Zirkzee, the Dutchman has struggled in recent matches and has fallen way out of favor among fans. His goal was a relief to himself and the team in general, and Amorim was pleased that he got on the score sheet.
“It’s so important for a striker to score a goal,” Amorim said on Zirkzee’s goal. “He’s not playing many minutes, but the way he responds in the second half is really important. It’s more important than just the goal again.
“The small details win the first ball for us to win the second ball; the connection is so important for our game, and the goal is really important for the team and for him.”
Amorim also spoke on how his team needs to respond to challenges like this going forward.
He said, “It’s important to win every game, and again today was once again the proof that if you play the same way, but we increase the way we fight for every ball in the small details, the certainty on the pass, and the movements. If we work on that at a different pace, we can beat anyone. So, let’s try to show that in the next game.”
