Ruben Amorim and Bruno Fernandes have made their feelings clear on Manchester United’s inconsistent form as they prepare to face Liverpool at Anfield
Manchester United will head to Anfield on Sunday to take on Liverpool, having not won at their arch rivals since 2016. Ruben Amorim has largely struggled since taking the reins at Old Trafford in November 2024, however, United’s performance away to Liverpool last season remains one of their best under his management so far.
While United didn’t take the three points, they held the eventual Premier League champions to a 2-2 draw. The showing was indicative of Amorim’s tenure so far, performing well against the league’s top sides but stumbling against the so-called ‘lesser’ outfits.
After the game, Amorim and his United captain, Bruno Fernandes, spoke to the media about their anguish at United’s Jekyll and Hyde-like performances. That frustrating trend, however, looks to have continued into this season.
While United have beaten Chelsea, and performed well against league leaders Arsenal this season, they have lost to Grimsby Town in the League Cup, away to Brentford and were held 1-1 away to Fulham.
“If we play against Liverpool every day we will do that,” Amorim said after the 2-2 draw last season. “So we have to do it against any opponent and to understand that we have to fight really bad to get out of this situation.
READ MORE: Spanish media deliver Marcus Rashford verdict following Barcelona controversyREAD MORE: Ruben Amorim rejects Gary Neville’s Man Utd target – ‘That is not success’
He added: “The way we were really competitive, that is the crucial thing going forward. I’m happy for the performance, not happy for the result but I’m really mad because of the other games.”
Lisandro Martinez had put United in front early in the second half of last season’s clash. Cody Gakpo’s equaliser was then followed by a Mohamed Salah penalty that looked to have secured the three points for Arne Slot’s side.
However, Amad Diallo made it honours even, with United even squandering several late opportunities to win the game.
Fernandes later revealed that he was “upset” by United’s apparent inability to transfer their positive performance against their North West rivals to other games throughout the campaign – a factor that is still haunting United a season on.
“Criticised and fairly because the position in the table says it all, we lost too many points,” Fernandes said after the tie. “Even today we can’t be happy with a draw because we need points more than they did. It was a really good result, we could have even won the game in the end but it’s a fair result.
“I’m pretty upset because if we show this today at Anfield against Liverpool, who are first in the league and probably the outstanding team in the Premier League this season, why can’t we do this every week?”
United have not beaten Liverpool in the Premier League since August 2022. However, the Reds head into Sunday’s clash with United off the back of three defeats in a row.
Speaking of his side’s promising showing last term, Amorim echoed last season’s comments in a press conference this week: “Yeah, I remember it, we played well, it was a draw.
“I was really upset in the end of the game because we proved, on that day, that we can compete against any opponents.
“I know that it’s special for our club. I know that they are fighting all the time for the titles, the number of titles. I know what it means to the fans, but again, it’s one game that we need to prove again, that we are playing better.”
Huge Premier League kit & merch sale
Fanatics has slashed the price of football kits and merch from Premier League clubs including Man United, Man City, Liverpool, Everton, Arsenal, Spurs and more.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
