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Ruben Amorim reveals the problem with Old Trafford

Manchester United’s poor run of form has had an effect on the team, particularly in front of a packed home crowd.

Manchester United have work to do at Old Trafford
OLI SCARFFAFP

Two months on from his arrival in England, Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United reign is yet to really get going. There have been a few statement performances - an FA Cup victory over Manchester City, a draw at Anfield - but the overall record is underwhelming.

Amorim has won only five of his first 15 games in charge and has already suffered four home losses. Underperformance at Old Trafford will be a major cause of concern for Amorim and he has revealed that the prospect of playing at home is starting to affect the players.

We are more nervous playing at home than away, because we’ve lost four games in five at home and it is getting harder,” he explained. “The first thing in my mind is that we need to score the first goal. If we score the first goal then that will change and we will play better at home.”

“I think it is really clear. We are really anxious playing at home and it is getting harder to play at Old Trafford.”

Manchester United have work to do at Old Trafford

The United boss will be hoping that his team can find form at home for a crucial Europa League meeting with Rangers on Thursday. Man Utd sit seventh in the 36-team group phase standings, meaning they still have work to do to ensure that they finish in the top eight automatic qualification places.

A victory over Rangers, who are currently one place behind United, would help to settle the nerves ahead of a run of winnable games. The next visitors to Old Trafford are Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Ipswich Town.

Amorim insisted that Thursday’s game is a good chance to build momentum: “Imagine that tomorrow we don’t suffer an early goal and we score and we play well and then we go to Fulham and win it - that will change - even the environment here. Everything. I don’t want to say it’s going to take a lot of time but it is getting really hard. It is really hard for everybody. I don’t know if we can change that tomorrow.”

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