Ruben Amorim's 5 brutal Man Utd messages sum up huge task he's taken on at Old Trafford - The Mirror

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has offered some forthright opinions on his team during his short stint in charge of the Red Devils with Marcus Rashford subject of the latest

It has not been plain sailing for Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.

Since replacing Erik ten Hag in November and departing Sporting CP with his side in first place in Portugal and second in the Champions League, Amorim has undertaken more stressful duties. The 40-year-old has been unable to lift United from the bottom half of the Premier League table and has admitted the job has aged him.

The Portuguese head coach has been unafraid to deliver honest assessments of his side during his short time in charge at Old Trafford. That has led to some brutal and sometimes worrying comments from Amorim.

Mirror Football takes a look at five of Amorim's comments that sum up the tasks he has to complete in order to return United to the top.

First press conference caution

Amorim made it clear from the outset United had a lot of work to do to become competitive. While there was plenty of optimism in his opening remarks there was some telling criticism that may have left fans worried about the state of the team too.

"I think we have to improve in a lot of areas and in the understanding of the game," said Amorim. "I know it is a different way of playing and we are changing in the middle of the season. I think we have to improve the physical aspect of the team, it is something that we want to improve. That is it and I do not know how long it will take."

The last comment of that quote perhaps stings even more in hindsight as United continue to struggle. But Amorim did not necessarily see a rapid rise for the Red Devils.

"I understand we will need more than two-and-a-half years, we have to win something, somewhere, but, in two years, you can understand if you want to continue on this path or change," he added. "So we will see how long it will take."

Rashford and Garnacho dropped

Before Marcus Rashford had even revealed his desire to leave Manchester United, Amorim proved himself to be unafraid of calling out players if they are not applying themselves to his standards. In a bold move given the club's forward's struggles, Amorim dropped Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho from his squad to face Manchester City and made no bones about the decision.

"We try to evaluate everything - training, performance, game performance, engagement with the teammates, push the teammates up," he said.

"Everything is on the line when we analyse and try to choose the players, so it was my selection. Simple. I don't want to send a message (to the dressing room with this). It's simply an evaluation, and they know it.

"The players are really, really smart and so everybody understands my decision and I have to choose. It's just a simple selection. Of course the context is difficult - we have to win games and we have a difficult situation now.

"But, like I said, I pay attention to everything - the way you eat, the way you put on your clothes to go the game. Everything. I make my evaluation and then I have to decide. I have a lot of players to choose (from) and today I did my choice."

Liverpool dissatisfaction

A draw and positive performance against Liverpool saw United express as much frustration as celebration. Both Amorim and Bruno Fernandes vented their annoyance that the club's performances against weaker opposition have not matched their outings against top sides.

"That should be a big issue for our players that even one person thinks you have the ability but not the character, we have to fight that and change that," Amorim told Sky Sports. "I think it is really clear.

"When we are focused, when we fight for every ball, when we suffer and we are tired when the game is finished, we are a good team. If we don't do that all the time then we are going to lose games. That is clear to everybody.

He added: "I'm happy for the performance not happy for the result. But I'm really, really mad because of the other games."

United's worst side

After defeat to Brighton, Amorim did not mince his words.

"In [the past] 10 games in Premier League, we won two," he said. "Imagine what this is for a fan of Manchester United. Imagine what this is for me.

"We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that.

"We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United. I know you [media] want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that. Here you go: your headlines."

Another Rashford dig

Despite making his position clear over Rashford on more than one occasion, with time running out for the forward to complete a transfer the forward remains on the agenda. United's boss made it clear that the issue over the 27-year-old remains the same regardless of his status with the team.

Amorim suggested he would rather select his ageing goalkeeper coach to play over Rashford.

"We missed a little bit of pace to go and change the game and move some pieces," he said. "But I prefer it like that.

"I would put [goalkeeper coach Jorge] Vital before I put the player who does not give the maximum every day so I will not change in that department. It's always the same reason. The reason is the training.

"The way I see what a footballer should do in training, in life, every day. If things don't change, I will not change. Same situation for every player, if you do the maximum, if you do the right things, we can use every player."

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