Seven key quotes from Ruben's press conference
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is focused on delivering his first win as the Reds’ boss in Thursday night’s European clash with Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford.
Our meeting with the current champions of Norway will be the 39-year-old’s first home game in charge since his recent appointment, and while Amorim says he will have time to savour the personal significance of the fixture, he has made it clear that his priority is the three points.
Sat alongside his captain and compatriot Bruno Fernandes in Wednesday’s press conference at Carrington, Amorim looked ahead to our midweek assignment by answering journalists’ questions on his Theatre of Dreams debut, team news and the challenge that Bodo/Glimt will pose.
Ruben was also asked about the apology issued by pop star and Ipswich minority stakeholder Ed Sheeran, who appeared to unintentionally interrupt his interview with Sky Sports after Sunday's game at Portman Road.
Our Portuguese coach – as he has been since touching down in Manchester earlier this month – was in fine form while speaking to reporters, and below is a round-up of his best answers…
Ruben and Bruno's press conference
PRESS CONFERENCE | Get ready for Thursday's kick-off by hearing from Ruben Amorim and Bruno Fernandes in full...
"Everybody has said to me it will be a special time [managing at Old Trafford for the first time]. I just want to win the game to give that happiness to the supporters. Before the match, it will be a new sensation but after the whistle it will be one more game and we want to win that match."
WE HAVE TO ROTATE ON THURSDAY
"We have to do it, especially in this moment because we have a lot of games, we are in the beginning of something, they have to feel they are part of the team. They are international players, we will rotate and we will try to manage to win every game and not just focus on this game, and [we will] have a clear idea of how to play. Everybody has to be on the same page."
"Not Harry. Licha is ready. He didn't stop [playing for] too much time, so I feel he is ready. It is a different situation with Harry, we need them both, but they are in a different situation. They are both training, Harry soon will be on the pitch also."
HOW ABOUT YORO?
"He is available to train, but we are working on his fitness. This is important. He is a young guy, this is a massive club. It's very important the first image, so we will try to put it together because he's a great talent. We believe a lot in him, and we are trying to prepare the best way to start with Leny."
Team news for United v Bodo/Glimt
ArticleRuben Amorim confirms a defender is fit enough to return for the Reds on Thursday.
"I'm expecting a very good team. They can win the league this week I think, they run a lot and that's a very good thing for us at the moment. We need to improve that, so we know that in this game we have to run a lot. They have some special players in the wingers, they can play on the pockets very well and they have aura of winning games and this is also because they're winning all the time. I'm expecting a very intense game, a very good game and I hope to see different things. Improve some things we didn't do so well in the last game, so it will be a good game."
WE SHOULD SCORE MORE GOALS
"Of course there is a concern [in that lack of goals this season] but I think we have to improve as a team, because we have quality players that can score so many goals. So, we will try to improve as a team and Rasmus [Hojlund] and Josh [Zirkzee] and Rash will score more goals - even Bruno has to score more goals, Amad has to be better near the goal, all these guys need to improve and we can score so many goals. You are trying [to see] if I need a new striker to score goals [shakes head], we need to improve as a team and these players can score more goals."
Amorim plays down talk of new striker
ArticleThe Portuguese underlined his belief in Marcus Rashford and four other forwards, when quizzed on our goalscoring issues.
"Here you are used to seeing that [crossing over with global stars], but in Portugal it is so different. I think you sometimes overcomplicate things, it was nothing, it was a simple question, say hello to one of the commentators, so for me it was nothing. I was just thinking about the game, and I was with Roy Keane, Roy Keane is a real star on that panel. So, for me, it was really okay, it was nothing special."