Ruben Amorim has admitted his Manchester United players are finding if difficult to play at Old Trafford with the team's struggles on home turf now a huge problem.
United entertain Glasgow Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday having lost 3-1 at home to Brighton at the weekend – their fourth home defeat in five league games.
It was also United's sixth home loss in 12 games this season, their worst run of form since 1893-94, which is a major reason why they languish down in 13th place in the Premier League table.
After the Brighton loss, Amorim described United's form as “maybe the worst” in the 147-year history of the club.
The Portuguese coach has seen his team collect 11 points in 11 league games since replacing the sacked Erik ten Hag in November. And ahead of taking on Scottish side Rangers, Amorim admits their Old Trafford form is a huge concern.
“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 said on Wednesday.
“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.”
When asked whether calling his team “nervous” is helpful to his players, the former Sporting Lisbon coach gave a bullish response.
“If you want I can be delusional and say different things,” he said. “I say it as I see it. I said it to the players and I said it to you – I think it's a good thing to be really honest.
“If you want me to say different things, I can start to do that because it is easier for me. If you are in the stadium you can feel it but I am not nervous, I am frustrated.”
Ten Hag was dismissed from his job due to poor results and the fact players are currently performing worse than under the Dutchman is not lost on Amorim.
A mini-revival at the start of January saw them draw at runaway leaders Liverpool, seal a penalty shoot-out win over Arsenal in the FA Cup and then beat Southampton in an all-too rare home victory.
But they were actually staring defeat in the face against rock-bottom Saints until a late Amad Diallo hat-trick turned the game on its head.
But there was no such rescue act against Brighton, who were helped by a dreadful error by United goalkeeper Andre Onana for Georginio Rutter's third goal.
“I am not taking responsibility away from the players,” Amorim added when asked about his post-match comments at the weekend.
“What I am saying is, the message you guys showed is that I was putting it on the players. What I am saying is, you have to look really hard to find a Manchester United team that in 10 games lost seven of them, and that is on me.
“It is the same players doing worse with a new coach. That is my only concern at the moment. I am not taking responsibility away from the players but we need to improve in the details and I've explained that.
“The way we play, we are too nervous with the ball. It wasn't the best point to make after that loss but it is what it is and I am like that all the time. I am really direct with things and I am saying in this moment, we are performing really bad and our results are really bad.
“It is everything together – the players, the staff, the technical staff. I am the biggest one responsible because I am the coach.”
Also speaking at the pre-match press conference was defender Harry Maguire, who admitted the team has been lacking focus in key moments this season.
“We have to stop giving away the first goal,” said the experienced England centre-half. “The first goal against Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth were set-plays, the first goal against Southampton was from a set-play.
“These aren't things that are tactically a problem – these are things that you have to go into a game focused on and mentally ready to win a football match.
“Football matches are sometimes defined on small margins and at the moment we aren't getting those because we aren't mentally focused enough to make them go our away.”
United are currently seventh out of 36 teams in the Europa League table after winning three and drawing three of their six games so far.
The top eight teams automatically qualify for the last-16 with the next 16 taking part in the knockout phase play-offs.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
THE LOWDOWN
Photograph
Rating: 4/5
Produced by: Poetic License Motion Pictures; RSVP Movies
Director: Ritesh Batra
Cast: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sanya Malhotra, Farrukh Jaffar, Deepak Chauhan, Vijay Raaz
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
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RESULTS
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Yulong Warrior, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer)
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Jordan Sport, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m
Winner: Jungle Cat, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Kimbear, Patrick Dobbs, Doug Watson
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Blair House, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m
Winner: Hawkbill, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Fanney Khan
Producer: T-Series, Anil Kapoor Productions, ROMP, Prerna Arora
Director: Atul Manjrekar
Cast: Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai, Rajkummar Rao, Pihu Sand
Rating: 2/5
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
