Ruben Amorim
Ruben Amorim could feel the anxiety inside Old Trafford on Sunday
Manchester United's players aren't likely to run to the Stretford End, arms linked with each other, after a draw any time soon, but Ruben Amorim's post-match comments on Sunday struck a tone not too dissimilar to those of Jurgen Klopp when he first arrived at Liverpool in October 2015.
Klopp quickly realised that he needed to change not just the mindset of the playing squad but also the feeling inside Anfield. It sounded like Amorim came to a similar conclusion as he watched United lose 3-0 to Bournemouth on Sunday.
The 39-year-old wasn't critical of the fans and made the point several times that he understood their anxiety, but there was also the feeling that he knew it wasn't helpful. The nervousness that grips the whole ground when United concede a set-piece, or the howls of frustration as Andre Onana holds on to the ball, waiting for the ideal pass to open up.
Amorim needs to create an environment where fans and players are united, and at the moment that isn't quite there. The Portuguese understands why, describing the fans as "tired" post-match and saying that they have become wearily accustomed to these kinds of defeats and performances over recent years.
There is almost a resignation that settles over Old Trafford when performances begin in the manner of Sunday’s. It was flat on and off the pitch before Dean Huijsen gave Bournemouth the lead, and Amorim could sense it.
"In this moment, everything is so hard," said Amorim. "At a club like Manchester United, to lose 3-0 at home, it's really tough for everybody.
"Of course the fans are really disappointed and tired. You can feel it in the stadium in the first play. At the first goal-kick with Andre Onana, he's thinking what to do and pushing the other guys and everybody is so anxious.
"I understand that, but we have to face it. We have to face it and focus on the next game. We know what to do, we have to address a lot of things but we are ready to do it. We already knew that the challenge is big, it’s really tough on the fans, the players, that they are losing 2-0 at home so they want to score two goals."
When Klopp arrived at Liverpool, he talked of turning "doubters into believers", but he was more critical of the fans. When there was a mass exodus when his team found themselves behind to Crystal Palace at Anfield, he talked of how alone he felt. So when the fans stayed, and they equalised late on against West Brom, Klopp and his players lined up in front of the Kop for that cringe-inducing celebration of a 2-2 draw.
Amorim didn't criticise the fans leaving yesterday, and most only started to head for home in the final few minutes, when it was clear the game was down. But you also got the sense that he wanted a better environment for his players.
How he changes that is a challenge he will have to confront. The frustration was understandable, but as bad as things have gotten over the last 18 months or so, the support from United fans has been almost consistently brilliant. Nervousness can quickly spread from the stands to the pitch, however.
Amorim accepts that it is on him and the players to change the feeling around Old Trafford, rather than vice versa. By mentioning the fans, how tired they are, and how the anxiety spreads, you still got the impression he was subtly trying to make his point.