Ruben hopes confidence will improve
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim held a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, following the 1-0 defeat to ASEAN All-Stars.
After the Reds lost to a solitary Muang Maung Lwin goal in Kuala Lumpur, the boss faced journalists at the Bukit Jalal Stadium and was asked about the performance, in addition to questions on Rasmus Hojlund's confidence, the strong media links with Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and booing from some of the crowd at the final whistle.
Ruben feels there will be a lift in morale when players return from their holidays to a revamped Carrington and insists all of his focus is on the opening game of the next Premier League season.
See some of his key quotes from the briefing...
Ruben's post-match press conference in Malaysia
Press conference | The boss was clear on transfers as he sat down with journalists after our game in Kuala Lumpur...
WHAT'S YOUR ASSESSMENT?
"Of course, we should perform better. We were slow and we have to have it in us to win every exercise in training and every game. But the important thing is that we didn't have any injuries. Some players were a risk but we wanted to respect all of the fans put all the players in the game. We should win these games but we move on."
SPECULATION ABOUT SIGNING CUNHA
"You have to wait for that for the next season. It's something for you guys, also to take the opportunity as it's your time, but I will not confirm anything. I have no news. We will see but there will be some changes."
A LACK OF BELIEF
"Today was completely different. I felt during and also in some games, also against Liverpool and Manchester City, that we started believing and started playing different football. It's something we need to change in our team but we will change also with confidence. We just need to focus on that first game of the Premier League, that is our focus now."
MY BIGGEST CONCERN
"We played quite well in the last game of the Premier League against a team trying to get into the Champions League. Today was completely different. My biggest concern is every game, every small-sided game on the street, we need to have that feeling. We need to win every game, every exercise. It's something we need to push for the players. But the way I play is the same as other coaches. You have an idea and stick with your ideas. You can change something but I'm just one more coach who reached this level by believing in certain things. We will, of course, need to improve but I'm really confident."
IS HOJLUND LACKING IN CONFIDENCE?
"Sometimes, you can overthink the situation. Sometimes, you go to holidays and arrive on the first day now to start for a new season and even the environment in the changing ground can help a player get a different confidence. That is our expectation. Like I said, if you look at all the data, we have improved in the last games but we have a lack of goals. We will try to assess that and be prepared for that first game in the Premier League."
CROWD'S RESPONSE AT THE FINAL WHISTLE
"I feel always guilty. I said that in the last game. I'm always guilty of the performance of the team. No matter what. Since I'm here for the first day, I am guilty. Then the boos from the fans is something that we need maybe because every game we lost in the Premier League, they were always there. So it's like if the way of playing they see is not working, they will change the way they behave. But I felt then like we finish, walk away and, every time, the supporters were with us. Again, let's wait for the next season."