Amorim stands firm on his system
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim says you will soon see a natural evolution of his favoured system.
The Reds have been under increasing pressure following a tough period of results, with few hurting more than defeat last weekend in the 197th Manchester derby.
But with Saturday's clash with Chelsea the perfect opportunity to bounce back on home soil, Ruben has delivered a defiant message over his current system.
The 40-year-old also answered questions on Benjamin Sesko's personality, as well as claims over Bruno Fernandes's best position.
Scroll down to read everything he said in part two of his pre-Chelsea briefing at Carrington on Friday...
Part two: Press conference v Chelsea
PRESS CONFERENCE | Ruben is quizzed on Bruno Fernandes, Benjamin Sesko and a missing element of luck...
There was some talk in Portugal that a Benfica presidential candidate was interested in you. Was there any contact and any attempt for them to try and tempt you?
"No, guys. No contact. I am Manchester United manager and until something changes. After that, for sure, if it is next month, tomorrow, in ten years, I will rest because I deserve it! No contact, none whatsoever and now [Jose] Mourinho is there if you want, and he will have fun there."
You have picked Altay [Bayindir] in four league games this season - is he your outright no.1 at the moment?
"Nobody has a place that is [only] his place. Everyone has to fight. Everyone is fighting for a place. I'm just trying to win games. Trying to see what is the best option to win the next game. So, at the end of the season, maybe it is a different team on the pitch, we are just trying to win games and to get the best connections and win points."
You mentioned that the data is showing the team is moving forward, is there a particular reason why that is not relating to results? Is that belief, confidence, luck?
"I think it is belief, confidence, aggression, it is everything. Sometimes what we call luck is when we play the game with more belief. It is Liverpool, winning all the games in the 90th minute. That is something about the teams that are winning, something happens often that brings that feeling. With us, I feel the opposite. We are playing well, but something is going wrong in some moments. So we need to change that, but that comes with wins and we can do whatever. If you look at the goals against City, Fulham, all these moments, we score against Burnley and are good in moments, then we take a draw. All these moments I think we can do better - but it is our fault. We work on that during the week to improve during the next game."
You said when you want to change you way, you will change your way, you are open to that. Do you want to change now, is that on your mind or did that come up in your meeting with Sir Jim about your system?
"No, no, no. Not even the Pope or someone, it will not, this is my job and my responsibility, my life. I will not change that but I will change the system, there will be an evolution, but we need to make all the good steps. If I am a player and I have a coach who has a lot of pressure, it doesn't matter if they are all around the world, they are saying you need to change the system and in this moment, they will look at me in a different way. Everything, when you think about the impact a decision is going to have in the team, everything is important. I will say the same thing, this will have an evolution and I am doing things my way and some guys do things in another way, but it will change. I hope I will have the time to change, it will change."
Ruben you have brought up the theme of aggression three or four times, are you surprised the players don't already have that in their make up and can you teach that?
"That is a good question. What is aggression? It is the way we sprint to the box to defend the box. It is if one guy is taking one, two [touches], we need to be more physical in this moment and I try to look at the details and look at the situation. In the end, we need to change the mindset as a team because we can win games. Last year, I said to you guys that it is hard to get to the final third and get situations, this is not the same thing. You can paint the situation whatever you like, I see the games without sound and social media, without opinions of staff. Of course, one big fact is we can't win many games, we are improving, we are near the goal, we have more shots, the opponent doesn't have the same amount of opportunities as last year. In the end, if you do not win, that doesn't matter and that is something mental we must change."
Rasmus Hojlund seemed to suffer previously from your team not creating lots of chances for him. Are you concerned this could be a problem for Benjamin Sesko as well - to my eyes - it doesn't seem like you are creating lots for him?
"I think if we remember Arsenal, I think we missed a lot. Burnley, Fulham, in the beginning, we missed a lot and that's four games. Then there is the thing you say, 'it is not a big opportunity'. Amad has a ball between the lines and it is 4v3, we then put the ball out and that is not a big opportunity - but it should be! All these things. And if you ask me again, at City, Sesko looks like he is alone in the box - I agree. He was always alone and the guys were around the box, but in the final third we get there and I also think at the end of the game when I look at the box, Ben was alone, we cannot score in that way. It is not the same team in that department compared to last year."
Our last 10 Old Trafford goals v Chelsea
From Rashford to Fernandes, watch the last 10 goals we’ve scored at home v Chelsea…
What is his personality like, Benjamin? Is he the man to lead the line?
"He is taking it all in. It is a different club and he is a professional and a perfectionist. You can feel that and he wants everything for tomorrow and we have to balance that. You feel he can do the job, we can talk all things, system, if one ball goes in the box and we win one game, then two, this will change. The important thing is last year I said it was clear, we cannot play well, we cannot create chances. This year it is different and we can avoid all the goals we are suffering, yes. Let's work on that and next week, next week."
I appreciate Garnacho is not your player anymore but he is coming back and he will have a point to prove to you personally. Is there any concern that letting him go will backfire?
"I am not concerned about that - I just want to win games. I don't care who plays for the opponent or what people are going to say in the end if a player is going to play well. They are good players and they will play well if things happen. I am just focusing on the game and my players - that is my only concern."
Team news for United v Chelsea
ArticleRuben Amorim provides a positive injury bulletin ahead of the Old Trafford clash.
Marcus Rashford scored too last night for Barcelona?
"Rasmus scored, I am happy for Rasmus also. It is the same thing with him guys. You are so tough on Rasmus but he scored also, so let's notice that."
How do you feel Bruno Fernandes is doing in that deeper role and how does he feel about doing so?
"If you remember, Bruno, he wants all the freedom in the world. Even when he played a ten role, he is getting the ball back. Maybe he is not getting the same freedom to get inside the box, but he is getting there and he is getting near the box, he can do his shots. It is a position where I want Bruno more deep to have more possession and to try and control more of the game. We are doing that, but sometimes we are missing a little bit of Bruno in front, maybe because Cunha is not there and maybe so it is because we want an extra player [there]. I am trying to balance the team and imagine the game. I want to put the best starting XI there and I see Bruno is frustrated only because we are not winning games. Sometimes he likes to go further but he has an important job to do. The important thing to do is the team playing well. If the team is playing well and winning football games, then he can play in different positions."