Ruben Amorim has admitted Manchester United are a “massive club but not a massive team” as he continues to try to revive the fallen giants.
Amorim suffered his first defeat as United boss when his side lost 2-0 at Arsenal on Wednesday, the defeat a reality check after a draw and two wins under the new Portuguese coach. United's last Premier League title win came back in 2013, when Sir Alex Ferguson retired, with Amorim the sixth permanent boss since then to try to take the club back to those glory days.
Although United's status as one of the world's biggest clubs is unquestionable, with an estimated global fanbase of 700million, on the pitch they have fallen away spectacularly since Ferguson retired.
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Ruben Amorim makes telling admission on Man Utd expectations after Arsenal reality check](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ruben-amorim-manchester-united-arsenal-34264530)
Amorim said there was no shame in admitting United are no longer a major force on the field, with the challenge for him and his coaching staff to take the 20-times champions back to that status.
“I think that is very clear,” said Amorim. “We’re a massive club, but we’re not a massive team and we know it, so it's no problem to say it. That [perception of United as a massive club] will not change, because this club has glories in the past. Our players have to understand that it’s a very difficult position.
“We’re not one of the best teams in the league and we have to say and think that clearly, but our past, our club, is maybe the best one in the league. So here we have a problem. We have to focus on the little things and little details. If you think about everything, then it will be a problem, so think about the small details and then we will improve it as a team.
Sir Alex Ferguson lifted United's last league title in 2013
Sir Alex Ferguson lifted United's last league title in 2013
“We want to improve, but we are in a different moment from Arsenal. You could feel it during the game and I think we have to believe more. We weren’t dominant in the game, but we had control. There were not so many chances for Arsenal, of course a lot of set pieces, but we were okay, especially in the first half.
“You could feel that there’s so much to do - we need to be better in the final third and they had more danger. Arsenal had problems to block our build-up, but then when they defended their goal, it was quite comfortable for them, so we are learning and trying to improve.”
Amorim said United's players must be fitter and stronger to cope with the demands he places upon them, insisting United will not improve without a strong work ethic. “It’s impossible to win the Premier League without a team like that,” said Amorim. “One that, in every moment, runs back and runs forward.
United has slipped below the likes of Arsenal in the Premier League
“If you want to win, you have to do it. Even with the best starting line-up on the planet, without running, they will not win anything, that is very clear. So if we want to win the Premier League, we have to run like mad dogs. If not, we're not going to do it.
“The problem to be fit enough is if they can cope with that. If they are used to it in training, they will do that in games. They’re professional athletes, so they can improve this. We can improve in every aspect of the game. I think the way we sprint back, the way we sprint forward, the way we fight, we have to be very clear with the team.
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