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'Soft' Man Utd have to survive this season, says Amorim

'Soft' Man Utd have to survive this season, says Amorim
Manchester United’s Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund leaves the pitch after being substituted off, as Norwegian striker Chido Obi and French defender Leny Yoro are substituted on during the English Premier League match against Everton at Goodison Park in Liverpool, on Feb. 22, 2025. (AFP)
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Updated 22 February 2025

'Soft' Man Utd have to survive this season, says Amorim

'Soft' Man Utd have to survive this season, says Amorim
  • Bruno Fernandes inspired a fightback from the visitors to at least prevent another defeat for Amorim's men.
  • "The worst part is that we are losing the ball without pressure and we are not doing what we need to do,ā€ said Amorim

LIVERPOOL: Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim described his side as "soft" despite fighting back from 2-0 down to salvage a 2-2 draw at Everton on Saturday.
United looked destined for a ninth defeat in 13 Premier League games when goals from Beto and Abdoulaye Doucoure gave Everton a deserved half-time lead.
However, captain Bruno Fernandes inspired a fightback from the visitors to at least prevent another defeat for Amorim's men.
Fernandes curled in a free-kick with United's first shot on target on 72 minutes.
Manuel Ugarte levelled shortly afterwards after another Fernandes set-piece delivery was only partially cleared.
United, though, were fortunate to escape Goodison Park with a point as Everton had a penalty controversially ruled out after a VAR review in stoppage time.
The Red Devils remain down in 15th, but are 13 points clear of the bottom three and should be safe from the embarrassment of relegation.
"The worst part is that we are losing the ball without pressure and we are not doing what we need to do. We were soft", said Amorim, who has taken just 15 points from a possible 45 since taking charge in November.
"In this moment, we need to focus on day-by-day. We need to survive this season and then we can think ahead.
"I don't want to just say the negative part. In the second half, we were close to winning this game."
In contrast to United's struggles under new management, David Moyes' return has propelled Everton towards safety.
The Toffees were in a relegation battle when the former United boss returned last month, but they have taken 14 points from the last six games to surge up to 12th.
Moyes was disappointed not to take all three points after a dominant first half but gave credit for the manner in which Fernandes helped turned the tide after the break.
"We should have been probably three up, I think if we'd been three up we wouldn't be shamed by that at all," said the Scot.
"To go 2-0 up was great, but 2-0 is always a dangerous position to be in as a manager. Manchester United have got nothing to lose but to come in and have a go.
"I don't think it was as much as what we lacked, I thought Bruno played well. They dropped him deeper and he got on the ball much more and we found that a bit more difficult to deal with at the time."
Moyes, though, was left baffled at the late decision to instruct referee Andy Madley to review his on-field award of a penalty when Ashley Young was pulled back by a combination of Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.
"I thought the on-field decision looked the correct decision," added Moyes.
"I'm a bit surprised he was asked to go to VAR because I thought that it looked difficult to change your mind on that.
"But I think when they go to VAR you very rarely get them to change their mind. It's as if they think on-pitch, the people who are seeing it on the television see much more and understand more."


Kyrgios targets ā€˜miracle’ Australian Open return after knee improves

Kyrgios targets ā€˜miracle’ Australian Open return after knee improves
Updated 21 sec ago

Kyrgios targets ā€˜miracle’ Australian Open return after knee improves

Kyrgios targets ā€˜miracle’ Australian Open return after knee improves
  • Kyrgios has played just five singles matches in the last three years because of multiple surgeries on wrist and then knee injuries
  • Kyrgios is due to face women’s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Dec. 28 in a rare ā€œBattle of the Sexesā€ exhibition match in Dubai

SYDNEY: Nick Kyrgios said Thursday his long-term knee injury had suddenly improved, giving him hopes of a ā€œmiracleā€ comeback in time for the Australian Open in January.

Kyrgios, 30, has played just five singles matches in the last three years because of multiple surgeries on wrist and then knee injuries.

ā€œIn the last month, I don’t know what it is. I was with my masseuse and physio last night and something really has changed with my knee,ā€ the 2022 Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios told the Australian Associated Press.

ā€œIt’s not swelling. It’s not feeling bad after a session.

ā€œI don’t know whether to call it a miracle or anything, but my knee feels like it’s gotten younger by a couple of years.ā€

Kyrgios said he could not explain why, after months of struggling with rehabilitation, there had been such an unexpected and rapid improvement.

ā€œI don’t want to jinx it, but something in it has gone, kind of allowed me to put three, four days of training together on court for an hour-and-a-half, two hours and be able to actually recover and then build on that,ā€ said Kyrgios

ā€œSo that’s been really exciting and I haven’t really told anyone. I have a new lease on life on court.ā€

Kyrgios, whose ranking has slid to 652 in the world because of his inactivity, would need a wild card from organizers for the Australian Open.

He has not played since losing in the second round of the Miami Open in March.

Kyrgios is due to face women’s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Dec. 28 in a rare ā€œBattle of the Sexesā€ exhibition match in Dubai, organizers said this week.