MANCHESTER UNITED star Matthijs de Ligt insists the players are fully behind under-fire boss Ruben Amorim and want him to stay.
The shocking penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby in the Carabao Cup cast fresh doubt over Amorim’s future after another dismal start to a new campaign.
Matthijs de Ligt has insisted he and his team-mates are fully behind their manager
Ruben Amorim hinted at crunch talks about his future after the dismal Grimsby loss
An emotional Amorim described it as “the limit” and indicated that he will speak to his employers during the two-week international break after Burnley ‘s visit.
But after United bounced back with a last-gasp 3-2 win over the Clarets on Saturday, De Ligt said the players have taken responsibility for the club’s first-ever defeat to fourth-tier opponents.
Asked if the squad want Amorim to stay, the Netherlands international said: “Yeah, of course. As a player, you’re responsible for the results.
“They always speak about the manager, but as players we also looked each other in the eye after Grimsby and said to each other, ‘Guys, the performance of this week is not acceptable’.
“So we still stand behind him, and he stands behind us, so we keep going like that. I think the result for today makes that feeling even more.
“It will be really bad to say that it’s the manager’s fault. It’s mostly us and we know that.”
United’s dramatic victory over the Clarets secured Amorim’s first win of the season after four games.
The former Sporting boss declared that “something had to change” after their cup upset at Blundell Park.
And Scott Parkers side’s comeback was more of the same failings that have plagued the Amorim era.
Twice they led, twice they were pegged back by Burnley, before VAR spotted a shirt pull from Jaidon Anthony on Amad Diallo in added time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes stepped up to convert a penalty in the 97th minute, six days after missing from the spot in a draw at Fulham.
De Ligt said: “I couldn’t do it as a penalty taker. I’m really happy with Bruno that he stepped up to the penalty and that he scored it. It was really important for us.
“The only thing that counted today was a win. Everybody saw how. We know we could have done that better, but the win was the most important thing.’
Man Utd's transfer deals
IN
- Bryan Mbeumo – from Brentford – £71m
- Matheus Cunha – from Wolves – £62.5m
- Diego Leon – from Cerro Porteno – £7m
- Benjamin Sesko – from RB Leipzig – £74m
TOTAL – £214.5m
OUT
- Victor Lindelof – released
- Christian Eriksen – released
- Alejandro Garnacho – to Chelsea – £40m
TOTAL – £40m
