Ruben Amorim's newest thinly-veiled Man Utd dig is even more brutal after Brighton horror show

Ruben Amorim has aimed a thinly-veiled dig at Manchester United's players following his first defeat as head coach of AC Milan.

Milan lost 2-0 at home to Benfica at San Siro in their opening Europa League group stage match on Wednesday. They have now gone three matches without a win after Serie A draws against Juventus and Lazio.

Amorim was praised for his style of play and tactical approach during his opening weeks in charge, though it was suggested in Italian media that Milan so far lacked consistency under the Portuguese's reign. The former United boss has now spoken out after the Benfica defeat and made a direct comparison to his time in charge at Old Trafford.

READ NEXT: Italian media have already made their minds up on Ruben Amorim after four games at AC Milan

'This team is a little bit different...' - Amorim aims dig at Man Utd

Amorim was sacked by United in January, under 24 hours after he gave a post-match press conference following a 1-1 draw at Leeds in which he said he had joined the club to become 'a manager, not a coach'.

His unwillingness to move away from his preferred system - a 3-4-2-1 formation - was often criticised during his time in Manchester, but he has kept faith with the approach since his arrival in Milan.

Amorim says he is willing to 'adapt' his tactics - not necessarily the system - but suggested that his Milan players are better in certain characteristics than what he saw from his players at United.

"I know at Manchester United and Milan, two big clubs with the pressure to win, people expect everything in just a few months," he told reporters. "And I feel the same pressure here.

"I think this team is a little bit different. They are more accustomed to working with three defenders, they are a little bit faster, a little bit stronger.

"Of course, I don't have the clear characteristics that are perfect at this moment, but it is impossible when you take on a new team to have those perfect characteristics right away."

'I know at Manchester United and Milan, two big clubs with the pressure to win, people expect everything in just a few months, and I feel the same pressure here.

'I think this team is a little bit different, they are more accustomed to working with three defenders, they are a little bit faster, a little bit stronger.

"I look at my players and I think they are listening to everything that I say in training, and that gives me hope we can solve these problems."

READ NEXT: Roy Keane gives brutally honest verdict on JJ Gabriel and Man Utd saga

Why Ruben Amorim's comments are the latest worry for Man Utd fans

The irony will probably not be lost on United fans that Amorim made his comments shortly after their side threw away a two-goal lead against Brighton in the Carabao Cup third round.

United chose not to sign any new defenders this summer, meaning the defence that new head coach Michael Carrick inherited from Ruben Amorim is the same as the one that took to the Old Trafford turf on Wednesday.

As per stats from Sky Sports, United rank 18th for sprints and 19th for high-speed runs during this season's Premier League.

They have picked up four points from their four Premier League games and sit in 14th place ahead of Sunday's trip to Fulham, which is their final fixture before the upcoming international break.