Ruben Amorim has warned that the rest of Manchester United's season could be “a rollercoaster ride” as players continue to adjust to his demands.
The Old Trafford crowd was taken into a breathless loop in the closing stages of the United clash with Southampton on Thursday night. The hosts deservedly got behind their struggling visitors going into the final eight minutes from time Amad Diallo's first senior hat-trick saved all three points.
Amorim admitted his side “didn't play well” against Saints and warned that, with so few opportunities to work with a group of players he only met for the first time in November, it may not be a straight line to success.
“I think it will be difficult until the end of the season,” the Portuguese coach lamented as he spoke to the assembled media on Friday. “It's going to be a rollercoaster.
“It depends on how long you have to train. We're still in FA Cup and we have matches in the Europa League. Then it's important to focus on next Thursday to win (against Rangers) and try to be in the top eight.
“We're trying to do everything at the same time. We have seven practices together in 14, 15 games. It's really tough, but we keep going and try to win, sometimes playing well, sometimes playing bad.”
United impressed during them recent visits at the homes of Liverpool and Arsenal before late escape against Southampton. Amorim warned that United's historic preference for counter-attacking – and subsequent attempts to break down a resolute defense – will take time to adjust.
“We were, in the past, a team in transition and we still are,” shrugged the former Sporting CP boss. “You can feel it. To create chances in the final third, we struggled a lot.
“It's something we have to change. To change, we need training. So to have time to change, we have to win games and we will try to do that.”
Next turn unitedRollercoaster take on Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. The Seagulls have won each of their last two visits to the Theater of Dreams.