Ruben Amorim has been slammed after he suggested that pundits are impacting his players following Manchester United's disappointing start to the season
Ruben Amorim during a Manchester United game
Ruben Amorim is under pressure at Manchester United(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has hit out at Ruben Amorim after the Manchester United head coach claimed that pundits are influencing his players.
Speaking before his side's game against Sunderland, Amorim said he feels his players are susceptible to reading and hearing a lot of the criticism about his system through high-profile pundits.
After Gary Neville rubbished Amorim's remark, Petit has now weighed in with his verdict and said that the former Sporting CP boss is "talking absolute nonsense" in a brutal assessment.
Speaking to Boylesports, Petit said: "That's the first time I've heard a manager use that as an excuse for the failure of his players. Don't be ridiculous. Ruben Amorim is talking absolute nonsense. Your players know what you're saying is absolute nonsense too.
"How can you say that when you manage for Manchester United? If you are not able to deal with critics when you manage or play for big clubs and are receiving so much money, then change clubs. Don't work with top clubs.
"I read that and thought, ‘Did he seriously say that?’ I've been a player for top clubs with huge expectations. When I was on the pitch, I never tried to find excuses.
"You just take your own responsibility, be a man. I know I've been very upset with critics, some of what they said was unfair most of the time, but you have to deal with it.
Ruben Amorim after a Manchester United game
Man United manager Ruben Amorim has come under criticism from Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville this season.
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"The beauty of football is that you have your own destiny in your hands, which means you can be on the floor after one game and then be the hero of the next. You can change that situation. You have the power to change it, so just do it.
"Stop focusing on what people are saying in videos from players on social media. Every single player and the manager, all together, should try to change the situation, the environment.
"There are so many people at Manchester United who are missing the character and personality to change it. Honestly, guys, if you can't do that, just be honest with yourself in the mirror. Say, ‘I'm not able to do that because I'm scared.’ This is it. So be honest and change."
Amorim had come under an increased amount of pressure before United secured a much-needed 2-0 win against Sunderland before the two-week international break. Mason Mount and Benjamin Sesko found the net for the Reds as they moved up to tenth in the Premier League table and relieved the scrutiny on Amorim.
Speaking post-match, Amorim cut a delighted figure and praised his players for grinding out a win despite "not playing well during all the game".
He said: "Yeah, and a clean sheet is really important. We didn't play well during all the game, but we had our moments. But if you look at the performance, it was a team.
"Focus, defending well, trying to kill the game in the second half. So, I'm pleased with that, and now it's [time] to move forward to the next one."