Amorim: We are improving
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim feels there were positive signs of improvement against Manchester City, despite the Reds not earning the desired three points.
We drew 0-0 with our crosstown rivals on Sunday afternoon at Old Trafford, in a stalemate that saw the sides walk away with a point apiece in the Premier League meeting.
Both teams had chances in the game but, from the early stages, it was a clash that always felt destined to end level. Nevertheless, the Reds boss believes progress among the squad is evident.
Keep scrolling to read some of what Amorim said to the official broadcasters following the final whistle...
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IMPROVEMENTS ON DISPLAY
"You can see it, [same] as me, the team is more comfortable. The positions, we can make better connections, we are pushing the opponents sometimes to the last third. We are defending and blocking the talented players like Manchester City have. I think we blocked most of the chances; they didn't create much. They had the ball, but without danger, so we are improving."
WORK IN PROGRESS
"Every player can improve. And they are here because they show something in other clubs. So, they have the quality, we have to spend more time with them. We are still a team, sometimes, that is more dangerous in transitions and we have to spend more time near the final third to get more opportunities."
REVIEWING THE GAME
"I think we did well. We play a different game compared to Nottingham [Forest] last week. I know the excitement of the game is not the same when you are not fighting for different things. Changes a little bit the environment of the derby. But I think we are improving how we defend, we are more compact, we gave them less space than the last games. So, we are improving. We create some chances and then I think we have, always the same problem, is the lack of goals."
SOLVING PROBLEMS
"Look at the positive things. We had some games and I was here and trying to remember one opportunity; it wasn't there. Now, in the last games, we have the opportunities. Now we have to improve the last chance and the last shot."
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CRUCIAL BRUNO
"That [worth to United] is clear, but you can look at the other teams, they have players that are essential. If you look at Liverpool, it's [Mohamed] Salah, the difference that he makes. Bruno [Fernandes] is our player in that department. So, he's doing quite well. Again, everybody has to improve and Bruno has to step up a little bit more next year because he has a really big role."
LOOKING TO LYON
"It's really important. Again, it's not the most important thing for Manchester United because we have a lot of things to do, but you can see it, in this season, the Europa League is really important. We can reach the Champions League next season, we can win something, so we are going to do everything to try to go to the next stage."