Man United boss Amorim says it is tough to face team's angry fans around the world
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim during a press conference REUTERS/Tyrone Siu
(Reuters) - Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim said his team cannot hide after they were booed off in their defeat in Malaysia ahead of their friendly with Hong Kong on Friday.
Three days after they concluded their worst Premier League season with a 15th-placed finish, Amorim's team kicked off their Asian tour with a 1-0 loss to ASEAN All-Stars in Kuala Lumpur, with many among the 72,000 fans voicing their displeasure.
"It's hard to face the fans around the world (after such a poor season)," Amorim told a press conference on Thursday. "(But) it is clear, we cannot hide.
"If one thing is really important in this club, we need to face our fans in this moment, and give something to our fans around the globe. We want to do that, but sometimes it's really hard.
"We were not really focused in the last game (on Wednesday), everyone can feel it. In that moment I can understand the fans and the players."
Harry Maguire, Andre Onana and Diogo Dalot will not feature in Friday's match as they travelled to India instead for a club sponsor event.
Amorim also ruled Luke Shaw out. Matthijs de Ligt, Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee did not play in Malaysia, but the Portuguese coach gave them a clean bill of health at Hong Kong Stadium for their final match of the tour.
"Of course the team is tired because we flew to Malaysia and with the jet lag we had a game in difficult conditions," Amorim said. "But we are ready to play again and are really happy to be here."
Hong Kong's coach Ashley Westwood, a former United academy player, suggested that Amorim's team would have preferred post-season rest over extra games and travel.
"If truth be told, no players want to do (a post-season tour), you want to recover," Westwood told reporters. "Most Manchester United players are reporting for international duty on June 2. They probably need this like a hole in the head."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
2 hours ago
- CAF
WHERE TO WATCH: TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Final expands global viewership footprint to Eastern Europe
Published: Saturday, 31 May 2025 With less than 24 hours to go before the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced an increase in global broadcasters for the decider. The final between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns will be played on Sunday, 1 June in Cairo at 20h00 Cairo Time (17h00 GMT). The two sides played to an entertaining 1-1 draw in Pretoria last weekend. In recent years, the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League has experienced unprecedented television growth, solidifying its place as one of the fastest-growing continental football competitions in the world. For the first time, fans across 49 international territories, including countries in Eastern Europe, will be able to watch the second leg of the final live. This marks a significant leap forward in CAF's mission to bring African football to the world stage. TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Final Viewership Details: In Africa: SuperSport – English and Portuguese (Sub-Saharan Africa) – English and Portuguese (Sub-Saharan Africa) SABC Sport – Free-to-air (South Africa) – Free-to-air (South Africa) Canal+ – French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa – French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa Azam Media – Tanzania and East Africa – Tanzania and East Africa New World TV – Francophone and Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa – Francophone and Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa beIN Sport – MENA, France, Asia-Pacific, Americas International Markets: Portugal: SPORT TV SPORT TV Netherlands: ZIGGO ZIGGO Germany, Austria, Switzerland: WEDOSPORT WEDOSPORT Czech Republic & Slovakia: TV ARENA TV ARENA Poland: SPORTKLUB SPORTKLUB Balkans: SPORT KLUB SPORT KLUB Eurasia: SETANTA SETANTA Israel: SPORT 5 SPORT 5 Worldwide Streaming (excluding certain territories): With its enhanced global visibility, iconic new trophy, and elite clubs competing at the highest level, this year's TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final is poised to be the most widely followed edition in the tournament's history. -ENDS- Further Inquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department
Egypt Today
6 hours ago
- Egypt Today
Experience and struggle have prepared PSG for Champions League glory, says Luis Enrique
(Reuters) - Paris St Germain manager Luis Enrique is confident that his youthful squad are ready to clinch their first Champions League title as they gear up for Saturday's final against Inter Milan. The Spaniard believes that the squad's big-game experience over the past two years under his guidance has put them in a strong position to lift the trophy in Munich. Luis Enrique added that the hurdles faced by his side during the first half of the season have served as motivation for them as they prepare to face a seasoned Inter side. "We're a team that's used to playing in finals; these are situations we're accustomed to and have already experienced. Motivation is important, but we're used to it," Luis Enrique told a press conference. "There are always two ways to interpret experience, it can play both ways. I think it's important to have experience, but that it's still very relative. "What makes us strong as a team is that our journey has been difficult: there have been ups and downs, but having struggled can be an advantage. We're used to playing these finals, we've played against some of the best teams in Europe, and we've played some real finals along the way. We're ready, we won't be afraid." He emphasised that they would aim to control the game by dominating possession, and focusing on areas where he believes his team is strongest. Luis Enrique said his primary motivation was to make history with PSG, which he called an exceptional club. He said he felt privileged to be involved in the game and promised his side would give everything for the fans. When asked to compare himself as a coach now to when he won the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, he replied: "I'm calm thanks to my maturity: I'm 10 years older and more experienced. "I try to share all this with my players: they can write history, I want to make sure there's no excess emotion. I think we're ready, and I think Inter know that we are ready too." Among his notable achievements this season has been his nurturing of Ousmane Dembele into a potential Ballon d'Or winner. "Ousmane has been one of the best players of the season, if not the best: he's a leader, someone who drives the team forward with his example. It's great to be able to field him and trust him to make the most of his qualities," Luis Enrique said.
Egypt Today
6 hours ago
- Egypt Today
Liverpool sign Frimpong from Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong during the warm up before the match REUTERS/Annegret Hilse/File Photo. (Reuters) - Premier League champions Liverpool have signed defender Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen on a long-term contract, both clubs announced on Friday. Financial details were not disclosed by either club, but British media reported that Liverpool triggered a 35 million euros ($39.73 million) release clause for the Dutch international, whose deal with Leverkusen was valid until 2028. The transfer was announced hours after Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid from Liverpool on a six-year deal, with Frimpong set to replace the England defender as he becomes manager Arne Slot's first signing after they won the Premier League title. "It went quite easy," the 24-year-old told the club website. "Liverpool came and said they had interest, and obviously for me it was a no-brainer. "For me, it was like, 'Whatever you guys do, just get this done'." Frimpong, who will officially join on June 1, signed a five-year contract, media reports said. The right back, who can also play as a winger, played a key role in the Leverkusen side that won the German domestic double in 2023-24, chipping in with 14 goals and 12 assists across all competitions. Frimpong also recorded 12 assists this season, adding five goals, from 48 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga runners-up. A product of Manchester City's academy, Frimpong joined Leverkusen in 2021 from Scottish side Celtic. He has represented the Netherlands on 12 occasions, scoring one goal, since making his debut with the senior squad in October 2023 in a Euro 2024 qualifier against France. "Liverpool fans, I'm going to give my all, my energy, my work-rate and hopefully we can win together, we celebrate together, get everything together," Frimpong added. "I'm just excited to be here. Thank you guys for accepting me and I won't let you guys down and I'll give you the energy that you guys want."
