Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted the players should focus on “survival” rather than qualifying for European football.
Boxing Day saw United fall to a crushing 2-0 defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers, leaving them 14th in the Premier League table and closer to the relegation zone than the top four.
After the game, Amorimi was asked if united can still dream of European football, but the new coach, who warned fans that a “storm” was coming soon.insisted that the team is simply in a fight for their lives at this point.
“We have to work on many things at our club, on the pitch, off the pitch, so let's focus on every game, every time,” he replied. “We must use every minute of training and improve the team.
“I manage (the team) but I haven't trained (the players). They need time to train, they are completely changing the way they play, it is very difficult for them and the staff to convey all the information. When you don't have results, it's even harder for them to believe.
“At this moment we just need to survive and gain some time to work as a team. We already knew. I started this job, with the team, the new idea, without any time to train, with many difficult games. It is a long journey that we have to fight for these bad moments.
Amorim went on to admit that he has “no idea” how long it will take to break into United's squad, simply pleading for patience from fans.
“The idea takes time”, he emphasized. “I told you before that this will be a difficult moment and we are far from the end of this moment and that's it. We have to move on and focus on the next game.
“I have no idea (how long this is going to take). No idea. Instead of me trying to figure out how long it's going to take, just day by day. Get some points because it's so important right now.”