Ruben Amorim has admitted Manchester United are suffering “perhaps one of their lowest moments” and urged everyone – including the exiled Marcus Rashford – to be “strong at this moment”.
United were badly beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday to leave them 13th in the Premier League table and Amorim's side head into the Boxing Day trip to Wolves having lost three of their last four games.
Meanwhile, former United talisman Rashford was left out of the last three squads for the match and gave a bombshell interview last week to announce he was looking for a “new challenge”.
Asked if the Rashford saga was in danger of becoming a distraction, Amorim said: “No, I don't think so. Not for me, not for other players.
“Because they are all there every day during training. They understand. That's the key thing. For the media and for other people, I can't control that.
“But I'm really focused and they know I'm so clear in my message. Everyone at Carrington knows what I'm talking about and what I want from Marcus and everyone else. It's not a distraction for us, it might be for the media but it's not my concern.”
Amorim refused to close the door on Marcus Rashford at Manchester United
Asked what he wanted to see from Rashford, Amorim replied: “Like any other player, the best they can be.
“If you have great talent, great performance, great responsibility, push everything forward at this time. Some guys here have a lot of responsibility because they've been here for a long time.
“This is perhaps one of the lowest moments in our club, so we have to face it and be strong in this moment. That's what I want from every player in the team.”
Amorim: I know what I'm doing
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Amorim says his full focus is on winning football games and less on Christmas
Rashford was left out of United's squad for the first time ahead of the Manchester derby win on December 15 and Amorim confirmed the striker wants to play for the team, but the Portuguese manager is standing by his call.
“Yes, that's my decision,” Amorim said. “He wants to play, he's trying, but it's my decision, only my decision.
“I talked to a lot of players, individually and during training. I do this my way and it's the only way I know. If I don't do it, I lose myself and I don't want to lose myself. I know what I'm doing.”
Rashford was an ever-present figure under previous manager Erik ten Haag and Amorim claims he cannot fault the Dutchman's reign for his side currently struggling in the Premier League.
United's woes were epitomized by the leak on the ceiling of the press conference room during Amorim's post-match briefing at Bournemouth – and the Portuguese manager even used the comical moment to claim he could turn the club's fortunes around.
“It's a difficult question to answer and we have to know this: don't let this become normal,” he said.
“I understand that it is a difficult moment and that it is up to me. From the first day I arrived, it's on me because I'm responsible for the team.
“We can't think about it, we have to think about improvement, to understand the context and not focus on what happened in the past. The present is this, what we have to do in the future is (not to let this happen again).
“If I knew, I would solve all the club's problems, including this one (pointing to a leak in the ceiling of the conference room).
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
After a disappointing 3-0 defeat by Bournemouth, Amorim's press conference was cut short by… leaks at Old Trafford
“I know what I'm going to do, it's so clear to me, that's why I feel so – I won't say relaxed because I'm really frustrated – but I know what to do.
“But we have to solve the problems step by step, finding answers for everything, but this is a very difficult moment, we understand the fans and we will fight against it.”
Amorim's passionate message to Man Utd fans
Amorim also spoke of Manchester United fans' “anxiety” around Old Trafford during the defeat to Bournemouth – but says he can't blame the fans for “doing everything right” from the stands.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
FREE TO WATCH: Highlights from Manchester United v Bournemouth in the Premier League
The 39-year-old also admitted that he understands the frustration and disappointment shown by the players.
“I can't say better things about the fans,” he said. “What I'm trying to say to the fans is: we understand. I understand as a coach. I understand the moment, the frustration and the disappointment. I understand that.
“We will improve, it will take time. I said the same thing after we beat Everton and people were talking about the top four. So I know it will be very difficult, but it is important for us, from this side, to say to the supporters that we understand, I understand .
“And they're amazing, the support we have. We're having a season like we haven't seen in (many) years and we know that. The only thing is to face it, prepare the next game like we won – if I can say that – and then go again and try win.
“It's just from us. They need our help, not the other way around. They're doing everything right.”