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Topics: Manchester United, Ruben Amorim, Harry Maguire, Premier League, Bruno Fernandes
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Manchester United, Ruben Amorim, Harry Maguire, Premier League, Bruno Fernandes
Harry Maguire has defended Ruben Amorim in the wake of Manchester United's damaging defeat to Wolves.
United suffered another disappointing result under their new head coach, losing 2-0 away at Molineux on Boxing Day.
Amorim's side once again struggled and were reduced to 10 men when captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off for a second yellow shortly after half time, his third red card of the season.
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Matheus Cunha then scored directly from a corner to put Wolves ahead before Hwang Hee-Chan sealed victory for the home side in added time to continue their upturn in form under new head coach Vitor Pereira.
Unlike his compatriot Pereira, Amorim has struggled to make an immediate impact at United during a busy festive period that has seen them play eight games in December so far.
Time on the training pitch at Carrington has been minimal since Amorim replaced former manager Erik ten Hag last month, and Maguire believes that could be holding the team back as the former Sporting boss looks to stamp his mark on the squad.
Maguire told MUTV [via MEN]: "I think it is really tough for the manager and his team coming in because it's not like he has come in with a similar style to the old manager; they are the opposite of what they demand and what they want.
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"It is probably tough for them because they know they want to work with the team on the training pitch and improve things, such as the defending principles and the set-play principles.
"It has been a tough month with games, but again, we do not want to use that as an excuse. This club demands winning and at the moment we are not.
"It is not good enough for ourselves, for the club and for the fans."
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The defeat leaves United 14th in the Premier League, just eight points above the relegation zone.
They are already 20 points behind rivals and league leaders Liverpool and Amorim admits it's unlikely his side will qualify for Europe next season.
Asked if United could think of Europe come the end of the season in his post-match interview, Amorim replied: "No, no, no, no. We have to work on a lot of things in our club both inside and outside the pitch."
United next face Newcastle at Old Trafford on December 30 before taking on Liverpool at Anfield on January 5.